The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is confident of hosting IPL 2026 matches in Bengaluru even as uncertainty prevails over RCB’s games at M Chinnaswamy stadium. This development comes after a report had earlier claimed that the franchise will move their home games to Navi Mumbai and Raipur in the upcoming season. The decision comes after the tragic Bengaluru stampede in June 2025 which occurred after RCB lifted the trophy for the first time and where 11 people were left dead and several injured.
Will RCB’s matches be held in Benglauru?
As per RevSportz, KSCA sources claimed that the board was confident of international matches returning to M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, which means IPL games could also be staged at the venue. The sources, however, added that a contingency plan is in place if permission isn’t granted.
“We are confident that we will get international matches. That means IPL can be staged as well”. If in case they don’t get the permission, a contingency plan has been put in place,” KSCA sources told the publication.
Earlier on Tuesday, a Times of India report claimed that five of RCB’s IPL 2026 matches will be held at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai and two at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur. Renovation works are currently underway at the Chinnaswamy stadium in order to comply with the norms suggested by the Justice Cunha Committee which probed the Bengaluru stampede. The Committee labeled the venue as unfit host events with large gatherings. The measures being taken by RCB at the stadium in Bengaluru include widening of entry and exit gates, redesigning of internal corridors and installation of emergency evacuation systems.
It is pertinent to point out that no games have taken place at the M Chinnaswamy stadium since the Bengaluru stampede. The venue wasn’t considered for either the Women’s World Cup in 2025 nor for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
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