Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s (RCB) IPL 2026 home games at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium hang in a precarious balance. The franchise hasn’t confirmed Bengaluru to the BCCI, and there’s a January 27 deadline looming. This comes despite conditional government approvals for matches at the venue. Looks like RCB has some serious talking to do.
The Shadow of Triumph
Remember RCB’s maiden IPL title in 2025? It was a massive moment for the team, beating Punjab Kings after 17 seasons. But the celebrations outside Chinnaswamy Stadium turned tragic. A stampede after the title win left 11 people dead. That incident sparked a government review of safety protocols.
Since then, no top-flight cricket played there. The Karnataka government suspended permissions for hosting events. Just last week, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) got conditional approval to resume IPL and international matches.
But these conditions are strict for RCB. They include taking responsibility for stadium arrangements, the road outside, DJ restrictions, and provisions for a fire brigade unit. The franchise, sources say, ain’t too happy with some of these terms. They want KSCA to talk directly with the government.
This whole situation forced the stadium to miss out on other tournaments. Things like the Maharaja T20 and even the Women’s World Cup final couldn’t happen there. Even Vijay Hazare Trophy matches involving big names like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were shifted. It’s quite a mess.
Blame Game and Deadlines
The BCCI is waiting on RCB. They need final venue confirmations from RCB and Rajasthan Royals. Rajasthan Royals already moved their 2026 home games to Pune instead of Jaipur. So, RCB isn’t alone here, but their situation feels more tense given the history.
KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad is putting the pressure on RCB. “We are hoping RCB plays all of their matches, including the opening game, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium,” Prasad stated at a press conference. He added, “The onus is now on RCB to hold talks with the Karnataka government and take this forward; it’s their responsibility to return to Bengaluru and not take the game away from the city.”
Strong words from the KSCA chief. Prasad thinks RCB should’ve acted sooner. He believes they’re not confident about hosting the IPL here. And he’s got a point, fans deserve clarity.
Prasad also pointed to fan loyalty. “RCB has grown to this level because of the fans here; they have an obligation towards the people of Bengaluru.” He’s working to get unconditional clearance by February end. But RCB must initiate talks. The BCCI reminded RCB about this obligation for the January 27 deadline. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla confirmed this to IANS, saying, “As far as the home venues of RCB and RR are concerned, we have asked the franchises to take a final call and inform us within a week.”
RCB’s Counter and Future Outlook
RCB isn’t just sitting idle though. They’ve identified two alternative venues, but they’re keeping those quiet for now. Sources suggest Navi Mumbai and Raipur are strong contenders. Indore was considered too, but it reportedly lacks enough corporate boxes. That’s a business decision, you know.
And RCB recently proposed a solution. They want to install 300-350 AI-enabled cameras at Chinnaswamy for better crowd management. They’re even offering to pay the INR 4.5 crore one-time cost for this initiative.
This tech would help manage crowds, track entries/exits, and detect incidents faster. It’s a good step for safety. “The advanced surveillance technology will empower the KSCA and law enforcement agencies,” RCB said in a release. They want “a few grey areas” addressed. They want clarity on who’s responsible for incidents, especially with so many stakeholders involved: KSCA, BCCI, and the state government.
The IPL 2026 schedule is on hold, not just because of RCB. State election dates in Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are also causing delays. This could impact venues like Barsapara (Guwahati), MA Chidambaram (Chennai), and Eden Gardens (Kolkata).
The IPL is set to begin March 26, with RCB playing the opening game as defending champions. But where? That’s the big question. If things don’t get sorted by the end of the week, Bengaluru could miss out on all IPL 2026 matches. That’d be a huge blow for fans and for the team, especially with stars like Virat Kohli who’s played over 250 matches for RCB.
The whole thing highlights tensions between franchise autonomy, state regulations, and fan expectations after that big 2025 triumph. No resolution yet, per Times of India reports.
Govind Singh 
Annsly Raena 
Tanya Singh