After Chinnaswamy suspension, Pune likely to host Royal Challengers Bengaluru's home matches in IPL 2026 - Reports
(Courtesy : BCCI)
MCA Stadium in Pune is likely to host Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s home matches in IPL 2026.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) might not enjoy the immense crowd support in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as their home matches are likely to be moved out of their home ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The venue has been facing a suspension to host matches following the deadly stampede on June 4.
Following RCB’s victory in the final of IPL 2025 against Punjab Kings (PBKS), the RCB franchise organised a felicitation ceremony for the team on June 4 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, due to overcrowding and mismanagement, a stampede occurred near one of the gates of the stadium, killing over 10 people and injuring over 50.
As a result, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was deemed unsafe for hosting large-scale events and was stripped of its hosting rights for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. With the stadium not getting any clearance yet, it can be assumed the same is going to happen in IPL 2026 as well. If it happens, the franchise will need a different venue to host its home games in the next season.
MCA offers RCB to host their home games in IPL 2026- Reports
According to a report in the Times of India, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) is in talks with RCB management to host their home games in IPL 2026. MCA has offered RCB to host their matches at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
“This arrangement (Pune hosting RCB’s matches) is in discussion but it’s not confirmed yet. They have a problem in Karnataka, because of the stampede that happened. So, they are looking out for a venue and we have offered them our stadium. There are preliminary discussions and there are a couple of technical things which need to be sorted out. If things fall in place then, probably yes, Pune will host the matches,” MCA secretary Kamlesh Pisal was quoted as saying by TOI.
Meanwhile, RCB recently suffered a big blow as their captain Rajat Patidar was ruled out of the field for four months due to an injury. He is expected to be fit ahead of IPL 2026, however, he might miss the tournament if his recovery takes longer.
Currently, all IPL teams are busy finalising their retention list ahead of IPL 2026 auction, which has a deadline of November 15. The auction is expected to take place in December 2025.
Which stadium is likely to host RCB’s home matches in IPL 2026?
MCA Stadium in Pune is likely to host RCB’s home games in IPL 2026.
Who is the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru?
Rajat Patidar is the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Why was Chinnaswamy Stadium suspended from hosting matches?
Chinnaswamy Stadium witnessed a stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations on June 4, in which over 10 people were killed while over 50 were injured. As a result, the stadium was deemed unfit for hosting cricketing events.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.
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