Where is the RCB vs MI match played in IPL 2026? Why is it not at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru?

Despite cricket returning to the Chinnaswamy, the matches against Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders will be held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh.

The game against five-time champions MI is scheduled for May 10 at 7:30 PM IST, followed by the match against three-time winners KKR on May 13 at the same time. These two fixtures will also be the last home games of RCB's 2026 season, having already played their opening five home matches at Chinnaswamy.

Why is RCB playing in Raipur and not at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru?

The arrangement dates back to a meeting earlier this year between Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, RCB CEO Rajesh Menon, and BCCI Treasurer Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, during which it was agreed that two IPL games would be held in Raipur.

The commitment was made at a point when serious doubts hung over Chinnaswamy's ability to host matches this season.
Those doubts stemmed from the tragic stampede that occurred during RCB's title celebration last year.

Following the incident, Justice John Michael Cunha's report declared the venue unsuitable and unsafe for large-scale events. It was only confirmed later that Chinnaswamy would be ready in time for IPL 2026, but the Raipur agreement had already been locked in.

The Raipur stadium itself is a substantial venue with a capacity of 65,000. It has previously staged six IPL matches; all home games of the Delhi Daredevils in 2013, 2015, and 2016. RCB's only previous appearance there came in 2016, when they beat the Daredevils by six wickets.

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