RCB To Play IPL 2026 Matches In Maharashtra And Chhattisgarh, Announcement Soon: Report

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set for a significant shift in their home base for the 2026 Indian Premier League season, with reports indicating that the defending champions will not host matches at Bengaluru's

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The decision comes in the wake of the tragic stampede that occurred during the team's victory parade last year, which claimed 11 lives and left over 50 people injured. The venue has since remained under scrutiny, with top-flight cricket yet to return.

According to a report in The Times of India, the franchise has finalised plans to stage its home fixtures across two venues outside the state. "RCB will play five matches in Navi Mumbai and two in Raipur during IPL 2026. The RCB officials have finalised the arrangement recently after meetings with the concerned officials," the newspaper quoted a source as saying. The official announcement is expected soon.

The shift marks a temporary relocation for the team as the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) continues its efforts to restore confidence in the safety standards of the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite multiple consultations with the state government, the venue was denied permission to host Vijay Hazare Trophy matches last December due to ongoing safety concerns, resulting in those fixtures being moved to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.

The Justice John Michael D'Cunha committee, appointed after the June 4 stampede, had delivered a grim assessment of the stadium, calling it "highly unsafe" for large-scale events. That report has played a major role in delaying the return of major cricketing events to the iconic Bengaluru venue.

Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals are also set for a change of base next season. With the Rajasthan Cricket Association yet to resolve its long-standing electoral disputes - which led to the association being managed by an ad hoc body - their home games will be shifted to the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal had earlier cautioned the RCA, saying, "We had already communicated to the RCA last year that, in case you are not able to organise these elections, it would be difficult for us to conduct the tournament there. "

With two franchises forced to relocate, IPL 2026 is shaping up to feature an unexpected reshuffling of home venues, pending formal confirmation from the BCCI.