BREAKING NEWS: Virat Kohli uncomfortable in playing at Chinnaswamy Stadium as RCB set to play IPL 2026 home games in... - Reports
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According to a report, RCB and Virat Kohli do not want to play their matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will not be playing their home games at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, as per a report by NDTV. The IPL 2026 is all set to commence on March 26, where RCB will aim to defend their title.
In the last edition, RCB won their maiden trophy by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final. However, their victory celebrations at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru turned into a horrific tragedy as a deadly stampede near the gates of the stadium killed 11 people and injured over 50.
The celebrations were stopped midway and an investigation was conducted into the matter by the Karnataka Government. Later, Chinnaswamy Stadium was deemed unfit and was stopped from hosting cricket matches. It was also removed as one of the venues in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 last year.
Recently, Delhi’s games in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 were expected to take place at Chinnaswamy Stadium, but were shifted at the last moment. Moreover, the NDTV report also suggests that RCB management has not held talks with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KCSA) to play their games at Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026.
The IPL 2025 champions are looking for alternate venues in the next edition. The reports claimed that Raipur and Indore are two places that are being considered for RCB’s home games in IPL 2026.
Virat Kohli and RCB do not want to play at Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026
Reportedly, Kohli, other star players, and RCB management do not want to play at the venue so soon after the tragedy. The players are reportedly uncomfortable playing at the stadium after last year’s tragedy. For the same reason, Delhi’s matches in VHT 2025-26 were shifted at the last moment.
Notably, RCB were also in talks with Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) to host their games in Pune. Recently, MCA announced in a statement that Rajasthan Royals (RR) and RCB officials visited MCA Stadium in Pune and are looking forward to playing at the venue in the next season. However, a final decision in the matter is awaited.
Who are the defending champions of IPL?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions of IPL.
What was the home venue of RCB in IPL 2026?
Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was the home venue of RCB in IPL 2026.
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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.