Cricket nostalgia meets Bollywood magic as Chennai Super Kings pull out all the stops for their biggest ever pre-season celebration, just days before IPL 2026 kicks off.
Chennai Super Kings have always been more than just a cricket team — they are a feeling. And on March 22, that feeling is coming alive in the biggest way possible.
The franchise has announced ROAR’26 — a first-of-its-kind mega fan event at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, where cricket, nostalgia, and live music will collide in what promises to be a truly unforgettable evening.
Legends Back on the Chepauk Turf
The main highlight of the evening will be a face-off between CSK’s “OG” legends and the current squad in high-intensity match-ups — with none other than MS Dhoni expected to be in the mix for the current side.
Leading the OG team will be Suresh Raina — the all-time leading run-scorer in IPL history and the emotional heartbeat of early CSK teams — alongside Matthew Hayden, the explosive Australian opener who was central to CSK’s first title run, Murali Vijay, and the technically gifted S. Badrinath. All four are deeply linked to some of Chepauk’s most cherished memories.
Other confirmed attendees include Muttiah Muralitharan, who is currently in India for the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp, and Dwayne Bravo, now associated with Kolkata Knight Riders. Around 19-20 former players are expected to attend overall, alongside the current squad and support staff.
AR Rahman to Set Chepauk on Fire
As if the cricket wasn’t enough, Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman will deliver a special live performance at the event, turning Chepauk into a pulsating arena of music and lights. The Chennai-born legend performing at the home of Chennai cricket is a collision of two worlds that the city holds dearest. The event runs from 4 PM to 9 PM, promising a fusion of cricket, entertainment, and fan immersion.
Tickets are available on the CSK App, the official website, the District App and District.in.
A Fresh Start After a Tough Season
The timing of ROAR’26 couldn’t be more significant. CSK had their worst-ever IPL season in 2025, finishing last on the points table with just four wins from 14 matches and failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
But the Yellow Army has come back swinging. In one of the biggest trades in IPL history, Sanju Samson was brought in from Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. It is widely expected that MS Dhoni will mentor Samson through the 2026 campaign before gradually handing over the keeper-batter role to him.
By the time ROAR’26 takes place, Samson and Shivam Dube — both members of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad — will have already joined the CSK camp, which has been underway in Chennai since March 1.
What’s at Stake for CSK in IPL 2026
CSK will be captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad and coached by Stephen Fleming, with the team beginning their IPL 2026 campaign on the road against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30. Their first home fixture at Chepauk is against Punjab Kings on April 3.
ROAR’26 is a clear statement of intent — CSK taking cues from RCB and Mumbai Indians’ own fan events, but doing it in their signature grand style. With five IPL titles to their name and a fanbase that spans generations, the Yellow Army is ready to roar again.
For CSK fans, March 22 isn’t just the start of a new season. It’s a homecoming.
