RCB, the reigning champions, would probably play their home games away from their famous M. Chinnaswamy Stadium before to the 2026 Indian Premier League. Following the horrific stampede during RCB’s victory parade on June 4, 2025, which left dozens injured and 11 people dead, the venue has been suspended indefinitely.
The disastrous stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during their victory parade damaged RCB’s historic IPL 2025 title win, which ended a 17-year drought. Despite the fact that thousands of fans had assembled to celebrate the victory, a tragic crush occurred near the gates due to poor crowd control. The Karnataka government halted all significant activities at the location after the tragedy while they conducted an inquiry. Important executives resigned from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) as a result of considerable criticism for safety violations.
The stadium was then disqualified from hosting the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 and the KSCA Maharaja T20 Trophy. It currently appears less likely that the stadium will host any IPL games in 2026 because to lingering constraints and unissued safety certifications.
The top candidate to host the RCB’s home games for the forthcoming season is now the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Gahunje, Pune. A Times of India story claims that RCB and the MCA are in advanced talks to temporarily move the team’s home base.
“The idea of Pune hosting RCB games is being discussed, but it hasn’t been finalised yet.
The stampede that occurred has caused them to have an issue in Karnataka. They’re searching for a location, and we’ve given them our stadium. Preliminary negotiations are underway, and a few technical issues need to be resolved. Pune will most likely host the matches if everything goes according to plan, MCA secretary Kamlesh Pai told the publication.
Pune’s MCA Stadium has played host to a few of IPL games in the past.
An excellent substitute for hosting RCB’s games is Pune’s MCA Stadium, which has already played host to a number of IPL games, including ones involving clubs like the Rising Pune Supergiant and Punjab Kings. If confirmed, this will be the first time in IPL history that RCB does not host a single match in Bengaluru for a whole season. With the exception of the COVID-affected 2020–22 season and the 2009 season in South Africa, the team has played all of its home games at the Chinnaswamy since 2008.
The franchise has called the legendary Chinnaswamy Stadium home, where the Bengaluru crowd has supported them and high-scoring thrillers have taken place. The team will try to maintain its winning streak from IPL 2025 in spite of the loss. In Pune, where they had won six of their last nine games, the club will now need to swiftly adjust to the changed conditions.
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