RCB clinched their first IPL title in 2025 after a 17-year wait, but the celebrations in Bengaluru were affected by a horrific stampede. The tragic incident during the franchise’s victory parade last year claimed 11 lives, following which an independent committee declared the M Chinnaswamy Stadium unsafe for hosting large gatherings. As a result, the venue lost the right to host IPL matches along with the 2025 Women’s World Cup and 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. Despite assurances from new Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad, RCB was 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 series. The announcement followed a meeting between the Prime Minister and RCB CEO Rajesh Menon.
“We spoke to RCB CEO (Rajesh Menon) today. He came to meet us. We have decided that two IPL matches will be held here,” Sai said in a public announcement.
Today saw a courtesy meeting with Shri Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, Joint Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Shri Rajesh Menon, Vice President of the IPL 2025 champion team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
On this occasion, the RCB team shirt was presented and the organization of the upcoming IPL matches… pic.twitter.com/bPIdHDYak7
— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) January 13, 2026
DY Patil in Navi Mumbai to host RCB’s remaining home matches: 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 discussions were held on 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 talks with the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association. With the confirmation from the Chief Minister, 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 the remaining five home matches at the DY Patil Stadium in M. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals are expected to shift their home matches to the MCA Stadium in Pune after the Rajasthan Cricket Association failed to hold elections.
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