Big Update! RCB Shift Two Home Matches to Raipur for IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have recently amended their home schedule in IPL 2026. The champions will host two of their matches outside Bengaluru, and some of the season's showdowns involving the champions will be held in Raipur.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have recently amended their home schedule in IPL 2026. The champions will host two of their matches outside Bengaluru, and some of the season's showdowns involving the champions will be held in Raipur.
RCB is set to have two home games at Raipur. This move follows infrastructure upgrades on safety matters at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The shift followed the tragic stampede during RCB celebrations of the title in 2025, when the government resolved to make significant changes to improve crowd control and safety.
Defending IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play two home games in Raipur. 😍🔥#Cricket #IPL #RCB pic.twitter.com/vItas9kshq
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) March 26, 2026
As a result, two high-profile matches will now be hosted at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium. RCB will be playing against the Mumbai Indians on 10 May and the Kolkata Knight Riders on 13 May. Both matches will be played at 7.30 PM IST, making them prime-time matches.
Bengaluru is the RCB's main home base, though that will change for 2 games. The team will continue to play five games at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, and one of their most-awaited games of the season will be their opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28. This will ensure that fans in Bengaluru can attend most home matches, although some will have been shifted.
RCB is also one of the few teams in the current season to have adopted a second-home strategy, which gives them the flexibility to host matches and address logistical or safety issues. In the case of Raipur, it is an enormous chance to host the marquee IPL games and see top teams and players in action.
Notably, Chinnaswamy Stadium has been upgraded by 17 points in terms of infrastructure. This involves expanding entrance and exit doors to better handle people. Another emotional decision is that 11 seats will also be booked forever in honor of the fans who died in the tragedy of the 2025 celebration.
Our Take
Although it is not ideal for the fans to change the home matches, in this case, safety must come first. RCB's decision is responsible, as there is no chance such incidents will occur again.
Simultaneously, the fact that big matches will be hosted in Raipur adds a new dimension to IPL 2026. It provides a new fanbase with an opportunity to live the excitement, and RCB still manages to keep its close connection with Bengaluru.
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