IPL seasons are usually remembered for thrilling finishes and packed stadiums, but sometimes events which take place off-the-field leave a deeper impact. As preparations begin for the IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are facing a major change that goes beyond cricket. Their home matches next season will not be played at Bengaluru’s iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Following the deadly stampede during RCB’s victory parade last year, uncertainty surrounded the future of matches at the venue. That uncertainty has now turned into a clear decision. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play their home games across two alternate venues in the IPL 2026. Five of their matches will be hosted at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, while the remaining two will be played at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. The decision was finalised after discussions between team officials and authorities, keeping safety concerns at the centre.
The tragic incident outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 last year claimed 11 lives and left around 50 people injured. Since then, the stadium has not hosted any international matches. Safety assessments following the incident raised serious concerns about the venue’s ability to manage large crowds.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association has been trying to bring top-level cricket back to the stadium and has held meetings with the state government. However, those efforts have faced setbacks. In December, the Karnataka government denied permission to host Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at the venue due to security concerns, leading to the matches being shifted to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. A later inquiry report also described the stadium as unsafe for large gatherings, further complicating matters.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals are also set to play their home matches away from their traditional base. Their IPL 2026 fixtures will be hosted at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium in Pune. This follows administrative issues within Rajasthan Cricket Association, which has been run by an ad hoc committee after delays in holding elections. The IPL officials had earlier indicated that failure to resolve governance matters could affect hosting rights.
As the IPL 2026 approaches, these changes highlight how safety and administration are shaping the tournament just as much as on-field action.
