Chinnaswamy Most Likely Won’t Be RCB’s Home Ground for IPL 2026, Pune’s MCA Stadium Front-Runner

Beyond Pune's MCA Stadium, RCB could also explore venues in cities like Raipur, Thiruvananthapuram, Gwalior, Navi Mumbai, or Indore for IPL 2026.

Chinnaswamy Most Likely Won’t Be RCB’s Home Ground for IPL 2026, Pune’s MCA Stadium Front-Runner

RCB might play its home matches in Pune in the upcoming 2026 IPL season, and not in Bengaluru. (via Money Control)

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2025 IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru might face a major disadvantage next season, as they might not be able to play their home games at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The MCA Stadium in Pune has emerged as a front-runner to host RCB’s matches. 

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been at the center of controversy, since RCB‘s maiden IPL triumph on June 3, 2025. A day after the win, a stampede occurred outside the stadium during the team’s victory celebrations, leading to the tragic deaths of 11 fans. In its aftermath, an investigation committee was set up by the state government, which probed into the parties involved in mismanagement of the event. 

An inquiry report, submitted by the Justice Michael Cunha-led committee, held RCB, event management firm, DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) responsible for the lapses. The government-backed committee also found the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ‘unsafe’ for handling such massive crowds, and strongly recommended changes in its structure and layout for further use. While the iconic venue was not officially banned, it was removed as a host of the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup.

Chinnaswamy Stadium has also been overlooked for India’s future matches, even excluding it from the list of venues shortlisted for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup. It might also lose its IPL hosting rights, and RCB might be forced to play at an alternative venue. The defending IPL champions might have to call Pune’s MCA Stadium home, with discussions between the franchise and the Maharashtra Cricket Association in preliminary stages. 

The reports were confirmed by MCA secretary, Kamlesh Pisal, who noted that discussions are in place with RCB’s vice-president Rajesh Menon, but a decision is yet to be finalized upon. He furthermore, suggested that RCB have also been looking towards other venues. Pisal also noted that advantages of having Pune as a home venue for the IPL winners, owing to his airport and accommodation services. He told the reporters:

We have our staff and sufficient experience as well as infrastructure available. So we offered them [RCB] the venue and then we had a one round of meeting. Now, only thing is they will finalize it only after the player auction.

Pune’s MCA Stadium did host IPL matches previously, even acting as a home venue for the Pune Warriors India in 2012-13, and Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016-17. The stadium also acted as an alternative home venue for Chennai Super Kings in 2018.

Defending champions RCB look for continuity, ahead of 2026 IPL auction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a flawless 2025 IPL campaign, as they finally ended their long-standing trophy drought by lifting the title for the first time. RCB will be looking for continuity during the 2026 season, with few spots to be filled at the auction, next month. 

RCB retained players
RCB will retain several players, ahead of the 2026 IPL auction. (via India Today)

While IPL legend Virat Kohli once again stood out for RCB, a few of their high-profile buys did not enjoy a great time in 2025. The biggest name is Englishman Liam Livingstone, who was bought by the franchise for a whopping INR 8.75 crores. However, he endured a difficult 2025 campaign, scoring only 112 runs at an average of just 16, and was even pushed out of the team in the later stages of the tournament. 

Apart from Livingstone, uncapped Indian players like Rasikh Dar, Swapnil Singh and Swastik Chikara might also be released. Otherwise, RCB are expected to retain their core, including Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar, the fast-bowling duo of Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jitesh Sharma and Phil Salt, all-rounders Tim David, Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd, and Suyash Sharma and Yash Dayal. 

Apart from them, England international Jacob Bethell might also be retained, alongside Sri Lankan speedster Nuwan Thushara. The experienced Mayank Agarwal, who was drafted in as a mid-season replacement for Devdutt Padikkal, might also find his place in the side, next summer.

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