IPL 2026: RCB’s Home Ground M Chinnaswamy Stadium Under Renovation After 2025 Stampede

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans are in for a treat. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is being revamped and updated before the start of IPL 2026, as the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is working to improve the stadium before the upcoming season. The new upgrades and improvements are being made to comply with the latest safety regulations as mandated by the Karnataka Government. The final design of these upgrades and improvements have been developed using the recommendations from the Justice Michael D'Cunha Committee, after they evaluated and assessed the crowd management systems at the stadium after the tragic event following the Royal Challengers victory in the final of IPL on June 25, 2025.

Renovation Work Underway at M Chinnaswamy Stadium Ahead of IPL 2026

Based on a report by the Bangalore Mirror, the renovations being made are aimed at creating wider entries and exits, enlarging the internal pathways and providing more modernized methods of emergency exits. KSCA officials anticipate the completion of renovations before the beginning of the IPL season in March so that inspection of the designs and plans may be completed by then. After the completion of the renovations, the KSCA will send the plans to the appropriate State Authorities for approval, which will then provide KSCA with the final approval to begin using their stadium again. As this is the first step that has been taken by the KSCA for renovations of the stadium, it is merely a first step towards final completion of the renovations, but it leaves much uncertainty about the future use of the iconic home venue of RCB.

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is also not on the list of venues for either the KSCA Maharaja T20 Trophy or the ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025, as well as for the Men's 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. It seems that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will have to open up their IPL 2026 title defence away from Bengaluru, with Pune likely being the most viable location. The Maharashtra Cricket Association's Gahunje Stadium has made an official offer to host RCB's home matches.

“This arrangement is under discussion but not confirmed yet. They have a problem in Karnataka because of the stampede, so they are looking for a venue and we have offered our stadium,” MCA secretary Kamlesh Pisal told TOI. 

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