RCB set to play two IPL games in Raipur, confirms Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play two of their home matches in Raipur during the IPL 2026 season, a development officially confirmed by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. With the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru ruled out due to safety concerns, RCB is set to adopt multiple temporary venues for the upcoming edition. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur will now play host to two IPL fixtures.

RCB clinched their maiden IPL title in 2025 after a 17-year wait, but the celebrations in Bengaluru were impacted by a horrific stampede. The tragic incident during the franchise’s victory parade last year claimed 11 lives, following which an independent commission declared the M Chinnaswamy Stadium unsafe for hosting large gatherings. As a result, the venue lost the right to host IPL matches, along with fixtures from the 2025 Women’s World Cup and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. Despite assurances from the new Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad, RCB were forced to look for alternative home venues for IPL 2026.

On Tuesday, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai confirmed that Raipur would host two IPL matches as part of RCB’s home fixtures. The announcement followed a meeting between the Chief Minister and RCB CEO Rajesh Menon.

“We spoke to the RCB CEO (Rajesh Menon) today. He came to meet us. We have decided that two IPL matches will happen here,” Sai said in a public announcement.

DY Patil in Navi Mumbai to host RCB's remaining home games: Report

Later, the Chief Minister took to X to share further details, revealing that he also met BCCI Joint Secretary Prabhtej Singh Bhatia during the discussions. Sai stated that detailed talks were held regarding the arrangements and logistics required to host IPL matches, and he was presented with an RCB jersey during the courtesy meeting.

RCB officials have reportedly already inspected the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium and held discussions with the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association. With the Chief Minister’s confirmation now in place, preparations for hosting the matches are expected to accelerate. Raipur last hosted an IPL match in 2013, when Delhi Capitals faced Kolkata Knight Riders. 

According to reports, RCB is likely to play its remaining five home matches at the DY Patil Stadium in M. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals are expected to shift their home games to the MCA Stadium in Pune, after the Rajasthan Cricket Association failed to conduct elections.