RCB to Host Majority of IPL Matches at Home Ground in Bengaluru

RCB's Home Matches Confirmed for IPL 2025

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the reigning champions, have announced that they will hold five of their home games at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with two matches scheduled at Raipur's Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium for the upcoming IPL season, as stated by the franchise on Tuesday.

This announcement has put to rest concerns regarding the team's ability to play at their home venue following a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of 11 fans after RCB's first title victory.

Since that unfortunate event, the stadium has not been the site for any significant domestic competitions, including the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, or the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20.

RCB expressed their appreciation for the collaborative efforts made over the past months to ensure the return of matches to their home ground, emphasizing the importance of this development for their fans.

The franchise thanked the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka State Cricket Association, and the Karnataka Police for their continuous support and cooperation in making this possible.

They highlighted that the enhancements in infrastructure and safety protocols have paved the way for the defending champions to play most of their home games at their iconic stadium.

The two matches in Raipur are part of a prior commitment, according to RCB CEO Rajesh Menon, who emphasized the significance of playing at home for the fans.

Menon remarked, "The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is not just our home; it embodies our team's spirit and identity. The enthusiasm our supporters bring to Bengaluru has always motivated our players, and they deserve to witness their team compete at home."

After thorough discussions and securing the necessary permissions, RCB is excited to confirm that five matches will take place in Bengaluru. Menon reiterated gratitude towards the Government of Karnataka, KSCA, and the Karnataka Police for their assistance in this endeavor.

Venkatesh Prasad, former Indian cricketer and president of KSCA, described this announcement as a monumental achievement, even comparing it to his five-wicket haul at Lord's in 1996.

Prasad stated, "This is a significant milestone for me. The opening match and ceremony will occur here, and the playoffs will also be hosted in Bangalore. The most exciting news is that the IPL final will take place in Bangalore as well."