Where will RCB play their home matches in IPL 2026?

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has been the home of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since the IPL began in 2008. However, the reigning champions may now have to find a new home ground. The stadium was originally chosen as one of the venues for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup with the second semifinal scheduled to be played there.

Following the tragic Bengaluru stampede that left 11 people dead and over 50 injured, the Karnataka government has declared the stadium “unsuitable and unsafe” for large gatherings because of its design and structure. As a result, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had to host the Maharaja Trophy T20 in Mysore and has now also lost the Women’s ODI World Cup matches that were planned at the venue.

Chinnaswamy Stadium Declared Unsafe After Tragedy

It looks unlikely that RCB will be able to play their home matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026. Known as one of India’s best stadiums, finding a replacement won’t be easy, and recreating the same atmosphere will be tough. However, a few options are being considered. One is the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is relatively close and has hosted six international matches, the latest in November 2023. With a capacity of 50,000 even higher than Chinnaswamy, fans can still expect an exciting and electric atmosphere.

Another option for RCB is the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, which recently hosted international matches in 2024 and also serves as a second home for Delhi Capitals. In IPL 2025, two matches were held there, and RCB could strike a deal with the Andhra Cricket Association to play their seven home games may mean Delhi Capitals play all their matches in Delhi. The HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala is another possibility. While it’s one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world, it has a smaller capacity of 21,000. Punjab Kings played one match there in IPL 2025, though another was cancelled.

Green Park Stadium in Kanpur could be an option for RCB, even though it faced scrutiny last year when a Test match between India and Bangladesh was delayed due to poor drainage. Since no IPL team currently uses it, RCB could make it their temporary home and with a 32,000 capacity, it comes close to Chinnaswamy. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, with a 55,000 capacity, has hosted IPL finals in 2008 and 2010 and was Mumbai Indians’ home in early seasons. It also hosted the entire Women’s Premier League in 2023.

Another choice is the MCA Stadium in Pune, which has hosted the Pune Warriors India and Rising Pune Supergiant in the past and was used during IPL 2022. While some facilities may need upgrades, RCB could make it work for their home matches.

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