Royal Challengers Bengaluru: History, Home Ground and Profile of the IPL Franchise

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, usually abbreviated to RCB, are one of the eight original franchises of the Indian Premier League. The team represents Bengaluru, the technology hub of southern India, and plays in red and black. Through the years it has become one of the most followed sides in the league, with a fan base that is noted for its passion and its loyalty.

Founding and name

The franchise took part in the first IPL season in 2008 under the name Royal Challengers Bangalore. It was initially owned by the liquor and spirits group led by Vijay Mallya, with later ownership under United Spirits. In March 2024 the club announced that it was changing its name to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, matching the official English spelling of the city adopted by the state government of Karnataka. The colours, logo identity and home city remained the same.

Home ground

The club plays at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in central Bengaluru, a historic venue that has hosted Test matches, one-day internationals and World Cup fixtures. The pitch and the relatively short boundaries have made it a ground where high scores are common in Twenty20 cricket, and it is regarded as favourable for batters. The ground is also associated with the Karnataka state cricket association, and the atmosphere created by fans in red is regarded as one of the loudest in the IPL.

Finals and results

RCB reached the IPL final three times up to the end of the 2024 season: in 2009, 2011 and 2016. They finished as runners-up on each occasion, losing to Deccan Chargers in 2009, Chennai Super Kings in 2011 and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. In 2016 the team’s batting set a standard that is still talked about, with Virat Kohli scoring four centuries in a single season. Despite this record in the later stages, the franchise had not won the title as of 2024.

Supporters and culture

The phrase Ee Sala Cup Namde, meaning this year the cup will be ours in Kannada, became a recognisable slogan for supporters. Fans of the club are known for travelling in large numbers and for staying loyal through long periods without a trophy. The club has also been involved in initiatives such as the Green Day matches, when players wear green kits to promote environmental awareness, a tradition that has been widely noticed beyond cricket.

Role in the league

RCB have a reputation for strong batting line-ups, and the franchise has been associated with some of the highest individual and team scores in IPL history. Their rivalry with other southern sides, particularly Chennai Super Kings, produces some of the best-attended fixtures of each season.