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RCB to Play 2 IPL 2026 Matches in Raipur, Announces Chhattisgarh CM

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced that Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host two of its IPL 2026 home matches in Raipur. The decision was confirmed following a meeting between the CM, RCB vice-president Rajesh Menon, and BCCI joint-secretary Prabhtej Singh. Sai highlighted that the New Raipur stadium has received praise from top players like Sachin Tendulkar for its world-class facilities. The full schedule for IPL 2026 is yet to be released by the tournament's governing council.

Key Points: RCB IPL 2026 Matches in Raipur, Chhattisgarh

  • RCB to host 2 home matches in Raipur
  • CM announced via social media and public function
  • Stadium praised by top players including Sachin
  • Meeting held with RCB and BCCI officials
  • Full IPL 2026 schedule pending
2 min read

Chhattisgarh will host two IPL 2026 matches of RCB, says State's CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai announces Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host two IPL 2026 matches at the New Raipur stadium.

"We have decided that two IPL matches will be held in Chhattisgarh - Vishnu Deo Sai"

Raipur, Jan 13

With the Royal Challengers Bengaluru unlikely to play their home matches at their regular venue. Chinnaswamy, they will be hosting their matches at other venues, and officials have claimed two of those matches will be played in Raipur in Chhattisgarh.

The news that two of RCB's IPL 2026 matches will be played in Raipur was relayed by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in a social media post on X, formerly Twitter.

The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister also announced this during his address at a public function in Kharora in Raipur district.

"We have a very good cricket stadium in Chhattisgarh, and all top-level players, who have visited it, including the great Sachin Tendulkar, have told me it is a great stadium and praised its facilities. You have recently watched a match at this stadium, and I am told more matches will be played at it. I have recently met with the CEO and other officials of RCB, and we have decided that two IPL matches will be held in Chhattisgarh," he said.

On Tuesday, the chief minister held a meeting with Prabhtej Singh, joint-secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Rajesh Menon, vice-president of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in Raipur, at which they discussed the possibility of hosting IPL matches in Chhattisgarh and various issues related to it.

During the meeting, the local officials impressed upon the RCB vice-president that Chhattisgarh has a top-class stadium in New Raipur, which has hosted international matches and will be hosting a T20I match against New Zealand on January 23.

On the occasion, the RCB officials also presented a team jersey to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

The IPL Governing Council will soon release the full match schedule for IPL 2026. Besides RCB, the Rajasthan Royals are also planning to host their matches at other venues instead of their home ground, the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an RCB fan from Bangalore, I'm a bit disappointed we won't see all home games at Chinnaswamy. The atmosphere there is electric. But it's good for cricket to spread to new venues. Hope the team gets good support in Raipur too!
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Vikram M
Good initiative by CM Sai. Hosting IPL matches will boost local economy - hotels, restaurants, taxis. But I hope the state government focuses on improving last-mile connectivity to the stadium. The traffic during big matches can be a nightmare.
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Priya S
Finally! We've been waiting for something like this in Raipur. My kids are huge Virat Kohli fans. Now we might get to watch him live without traveling to Mumbai or Delhi. Booking alerts are already on! 😊
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Rohit P
Respectfully, while expanding IPL venues is good, the core fanbase is in the home cities. Moving matches can dilute that connection. Also, what about the loyal Bengaluru fans who buy season passes? Hope RCB offers them some compensation or priority for these away "home" games.
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Kavya N
Sachin Tendulkar himself praised the stadium? That's a huge endorsement! Chhattisgarh has produced good cricketers like Ajay Mandal. This will inspire the next generation here. More states should get such opportunities.

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