RCB Unsure About Chinnaswamy for IPL 2026, Explore Navi Mumbai and Pune Options

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been told to confirm their home ground for IPL 2026 by January 27. This is because there is still uncertainty over whether they will return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after the Bengaluru stampede. Due to this, the 2025 IPL champions have also explored other options like Pune and Navi Mumbai as possible home venues.

While a report earlier had claimed that the Karnataka government and police have granted permission for resumption of international cricket and IPL at Chinnaswamy, a new report has claimed RCB are hesitant to return to the venue.

According to Dainik Jagaran, RCB are reportedly worried about the new law introduced by the Karnataka government after the Bengaluru stampede, in which 11 people were killed and several others were injured. A BCCI source claimed that the law was as such that the team playing at the venue will be responsible for incidents (if any) in and around the roads leading to the venue. The report claims that RCB is hesitant to return to the Chinnaswamy stadium because of the fear of this stringent law. The report further claims that the area meant for fire brigade trucks at the venue is currently being used by RCB’s DJ.

RCB Unsure About Chinnaswamy for IPL 2026, May Seek MI’s Permission

“Karnataka government decided to bring in a law after what happened there (Bengaluru stampede). Wherever a match is going on, even if something happens in the roads surrounding the venue, the team is held responsible. This is the reason why RCB owners are scared,” the BCCI source said.

According to the report, RCB have proposed to host five home matches for the IPL 2026 tournament at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. RCB will, however, have to obtain the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai Indians, as per IPL rules, to confirm the host arrangement. In other news, the report clarified the reason behind the delay in the IPL 2026 tournament scheduling, which is the waiting period for the Election Commission to declare dates for the Vidhan Sabha Elections in the states of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Assam.

Moreover, the deadline of January 27 has been set for RCB and RR to chalk out their strategy regarding playing IPL matches in Bengaluru or in Jaipur. The cities from which the IPL 2026 season might take place in this year are Chennai, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, new Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Dharamsala, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Navi Mumbai, and Thiruvanathapuram

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by Dwijesh January 20, 2026