The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) might not play its Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, a long-standing tradition for the franchise. Reports suggest a significant relocation could be on the cards. Apparently, the team‘s iconic Bengaluru home is unavailable following its suspension after a tragic stampede early last year. It was even denied permission for recent Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, which would have featured star batter Virat Kohli.
Sources, as cited in a Times of India report, indicate that two new venues are emerging as frontrunners for RCB’s home games. The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur are the likely replacements. This would be a big change for RCB fans, who have always seen their team play in Bengaluru.
Chinnaswamy’s Uncertain Future and New Horizons
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s troubles are well-documented. After the stampede during trophy celebrations, the venue’s future for major tournaments like the IPL became uncertain. The denial to host even domestic games like the Vijay Hazare Trophy underlines the seriousness of the situation. This left RCB officials scrambling for alternatives for the 2026 season.
An anonymous source told the Times of India that “RCB will play five matches in Navi Mumbai, and two matches in Raipur during IPL 2026. The RCB officials have finalised the arrangement recently after meetings with the concerned officials.” This implies formal discussions have already taken place. It means less time in Bengaluru for a team that has a huge local following.
Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium isn’t new to IPL action. It has hosted IPL games before, including two finals. It even saw the ICC Women’s World Cup Final in November 2025. So, it has the infrastructure for big matches. Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium also has experience with international cricket, having hosted an Indian Men’s team One Day International against South Africa. Virat Kohli even scored a century there. So, the grounds themselves are capable.
A Shifting Landscape for IPL Franchises
It seems RCB isn’t the only team looking at a change of scenery. The same Times of India report also mentioned that Rajasthan Royals (RR), the IPL’s inaugural champions, might move. They’re reportedly looking to play their home games in Pune, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. This follows reported disputes with the Rajasthan Cricket Association.
RR has always played in Jaipur since the tournament began. So, a move to Pune would be a break from long-standing tradition for them too. It points to a broader trend perhaps, where teams are exploring new venues and fan bases.
Or maybe, it’s just about practical issues, like stadium availability and local association disputes. For RCB, it comes down to a stadium issue, and they’ve got to find a solution. Moving five matches to Navi Mumbai and two to Raipur means a new home base for a season. It’ll be interesting to see how the fans react to this potential shift.
Sagnik Banerjee 
Ishaan Singh