RCB Reportedly Ditch Pune, Set to Play in Navi Mumbai and Raipur

Rajasthan Royals could host 2026 IPL matches in Pune instead of Jaipur, as the venue becomes available following RCB's change of plans.

RCB Reportedly Ditch Pune, Set to Play in Navi Mumbai and Raipur

RCB will reportedly play its home games in Navi Mumbai and Raipur. (via India Today)

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to shift their home base for the upcoming 2026 IPL season, meaning fans may not see them play in the city. While Pune was initially mentioned as a potential host city, RCB is now expected to play its home games in Navi Mumbai and Raipur.

For RCB, 2025 was a year of contrasting fortunes. Despite finally ending their 18-year wait by securing their inaugural IPL title, it was quickly overshadowed by grief. Following the team’s victory over PBKS in the final, a large-scale celebration was announced in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025. Tragically, on the day of the celebration, a fatal stampede occurred right outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in 11 fatalities.

A subsequent judicial commission report on the stampede strongly criticized the design and structure of the stadium, declaring it ‘unsafe’ and ‘unfit’ for major matches because it lacked adequate public safety measures. It also led to matches of the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup matches, originally scheduled for the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, being relocated to the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Not only has the Chinnaswamy Stadium lost its standing as a major cricketing venue, but it also appears that Bengaluru fans will not see RCB play in the city in the upcoming 2026 IPL season. Although RCB was initially thought to be considering the MCA Stadium in Pune for its home matches, the franchise is now expected to divide its 2026 home fixtures between Navi Mumbai and Raipur, with seven games slated to be played at the DY Patil Stadium, and the remaining two at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium.

This new arrangement has been finalized after a set of meetings between RCB officials, the IPL governing council, and the respective state boards. This potential relocation will bring IPL cricket back to the DY Patil Stadium after a four-year gap, the Navi Mumbai stadium last served as a venue during the 2022 COVID-affected season. Meanwhile, Raipur has recently established itself as a major cricket destination, having even hosted a recent ODI match between India and South Africa.

A change in venues, however, may force RCB to adjust both its strategy and playing combination. Having been used to the short boundaries of the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the franchise will likely face difficulties adapting to the conditions at the new grounds.

UP Warriorz outclassed as RCB-W record second straight victory of the 2026 WPL season

Royal Challengers Bengaluru maintained its perfect record in the 2026 WPL season by dominating UP Warriorz, winning by nine wickets. It was RCB-W’s second consecutive victory, following their opening success against the reigning champions, the Mumbai Indians.

RCB-W win over UPW
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated UP Warriorz by nine wickets in the WPL. (via Outlook)

After winning the toss at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, RCB-W captain Smriti Mandhana chose to field first. UP Warriorz did not get off to a good start following Meg Lanning and Harleen Deol‘s wickets. However, Deepti Sharma and Deandra Dottin forged a 93-run sixth-wicket stand to help UP post 143/5 in the end. For RCB, Nadine de Klerk and Shreyanka Patil scalped two wickets each. 

The 144-run target proved insufficient for RCB-W, as they chased it down in 12.1 overs with nine wickets to spare. The UP Warriorz’s bowlers were unable to contain Australian all-rounder and RCB opener Grace Harris, whose explosive innings of 85 runs off only 40 balls, including ten fours and five sixes, earned her the POTM award. Captain Smriti Mandhana supported Harris, finishing with 47 runs off 32 balls.

Consequently, RCB-W now sit atop the WPL table, while UP Warriorz remain at the bottom with no points from the same number of matches. Furthermore, the 137-run opening stand between Mandhana and Harris is now ranked fifth in WPL history.

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