Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has confirmed that Raipur will host two Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) home matches in IPL 2026. The games have been allotted to Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium after a formal meeting between RCB CEO Rajesh Menon and state officials.
Official confirmation and meetings
Following the meeting with RCB’s CEO, CM Vishnu Deo Sai announced the decision publicly and shared that he also met BCCI joint secretary Prabhtej Singh Bhatia to discuss logistics and arrangements for the matches. He recalled the RCB delegation’s visit and said,
“We spoke to the RCB CEO (Rajesh Menon) today. He came to meet us. We have decided that two IPL matches will happen here.”
The Chief Minister later posted about the meeting on his official X handle and noted that he was presented with an RCB jersey bearing his name during the visit.
Raipur’s cricketing profile and last IPL appearance
Raipur has been part of India’s international calendar for a few years, hosting several international fixtures. However, the city’s last IPL match was back in 2013, when Kolkata Knight Riders faced Delhi Capitals. The return of RCB matches to Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium marks a notable revival of IPL action in the state capital.
Where will RCB play the remaining home games?
RCB have not yet confirmed all their home venues for 2026. Reports indicate the franchise is in talks with the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) to stage five of their home games at the DY Patil Stadium in Pune. Discussions have reportedly focused on infrastructure and logistics, but no final decision has been announced.
If DY Patil is confirmed, the MCA could end up hosting three IPL franchises in 2026: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru — a rare concentration of teams at one association’s facilities.
Why M Chinnaswamy Stadium is not an option
RCB’s search for alternate venues became necessary after a tragic incident following their 2025 title celebrations. A stampede during the team’s victory parade in Bengaluru left 11 people dead. An independent commission later declared the M Chinnaswamy Stadium unfit to host large-scale events.
As a result, the stadium lost the rights to stage IPL matches and was removed from the schedules for matches originally planned for the 2025 Women’s World Cup and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. Although newly appointed Karnataka State Cricket Association president Venkatesh Prasad gave assurances about safety improvements, the commission’s decision remained in place, leaving RCB to explore other venues for their 2026 home fixtures.
What fans should watch for next
- Final confirmations: BCCI and RCB will need to finalise the remaining venues and official match allocations.
- Fixture announcements: Once venues are set, the IPL schedule will be updated with match dates for Raipur and the other home grounds.
- Security and logistics: Local authorities and the franchise will focus on crowd management and stadium readiness, given recent safety concerns.
The Raipur allotment gives fans in Chhattisgarh a rare chance to see RCB live, while the wider venue shuffle highlights how off-field events can reshape where and how IPL cricket is staged. Supporters should keep an eye on official announcements for seat allocations and match-day arrangements.