The IPL 2026 start date has been officially confirmed, with the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League set to begin on March 28, 2026. However, while the IPL 2026 start date has now been confirmed, the complete fixtures and match schedule for the tournament are yet to be officially released by the league authorities.
RCB Enter IPL 2026 As Defending Champions
The defending champions of the tournament are Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The Bengaluru-based franchise won their maiden IPL title in 2025 after defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final held in Ahmedabad.
With the IPL 2026 start date approaching, RCB will be aiming to continue their winning momentum and defend their title in the new season.
Chinnaswamy Stadium To Host Final And Key Matches
Earlier this month, Santosh Menon, Secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), confirmed that the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will host five of RCB’s home matches during IPL 2026.
The venue has also been selected to host the IPL 2026 final and one playoff match, making it a major centre of action following the announcement of the IPL 2026 start date.
Two RCB Home Games To Be Played In Raipur
Notably, RCB will play their remaining two home matches at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.
In an official statement, the franchise thanked the Government of Karnataka, KSCA and the Karnataka Police for their cooperation in hosting the matches in Bengaluru after discussions and safety preparations ahead of the season.
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Fans’ Support Is Our Strength: RCB CEO
Rajesh Menon, CEO of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, highlighted the importance of playing in front of home fans.
“The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than just our home ground; it is where our identity truly comes alive. The energy our fans bring to Bengaluru has always been a driving force for our players,” he said.
Menon added that after completing all required permissions and procedures, the team is pleased that most of their matches will be played in Bengaluru.
Cricket Returns To Chinnaswamy After 2025 Incident
Cricket activities at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium had been suspended since June 2025 following a tragic stampede during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations, where 11 people lost their lives and several others were injured.
With improved infrastructure and safety measures now in place, the stadium is ready to host major matches again after the confirmation of the IPL 2026 start date.