M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, his spiritual home Royal Paintings Bengaluru (RCB)On June 4, 2025, it was announced that it was indefinitely suspended from hosting major events after a tragic crowd crush.
IPL 2026: New leading contender for RCB’s home base, prefers Chinnaswamy stadium
The stampede, which took place outside the stadium during a planned victory parade, left 11 dead and dozens injured, according to Time of India. A state government-backed judicial commission later found the iconic venue unfit and unsafe for mass gatherings, citing inadequate infrastructure and severe crowd management failure. As a result, he was stripped of hosting duties for the stadium Ksca maharaja t20 trophy and ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025It is unlikely to host any IPL matches in the upcoming 2026 season.
The report stated that M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is in motion due to continuous security restrictions and lack of clearances. Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Gahunje, pune, Frontsunner quickly came up to host RCB’s home fixtures for the entire IPL 2026 season. RCB, who won the historic IPL 2025 title after a 17-year wait, are reportedly in advanced discussions with MCA to manage their base on an interim basis.
MCA secretary Kamlesh pai This pune confirmed initial talks, noting that this pune offers the most alternative to Bengaluru, taking into account multiple financial and fan base factors.
“This arrangement (Pune hosting rcb’s games) is still not confirmed. So they are applying for a venue. There are preliminary discussions.
PAI then concluded that Pune’s compliance: “The most ideal place for them after Bengaluru, pune. Airport, hotel accommodation logistics, venue capacity, fan base, if you count everything.”
Read: IPL 2026: Royal Rallengers Bengaluru – Here’s RCB’s name and brand to remain intact
IPL 2026: RCB face an unprecedented season away from home
A move to the MCA stadium, a venue where RCB have a favorable past record of winning six of their nine previous matches, is a historic and heartwarming first for the franchise. In the 2026 season, for the first time in the history of IPL, RCB will play a match in Bengaluru without playing a match, an undivided match with a loyal chinnaswamy crowd since the 2008 season.
The indefinite suspension means that the defending champions will have to adapt to new conditions that will take Pune’s pace to a temporary home environment that is completely unfamiliar to them, right after the much-awaited Maiden IPl Triumph on June 3, 2025.
Read: Royal Rallengers Bengaluru: 5 Indian players can keep RCB ahead of IPL 2026 auction
