IPL 2026 Venue Shake-up: RCB May Shift Home Games to Pune as Chinnaswamy Remains Unavailable
The Indian Premier League (IPL) landscape is set for a notable shift ahead of the IPL 2026 season, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) reportedly preparing to play their home matches across multiple venues. According to reports, this move comes as RCB’s traditional home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, remains unavailable for hosting matches, prompting the franchise to explore alternative venues. Among the options under consideration is Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, which could host several high-profile IPL 2026 fixtures.
RCB’s home venue in Bengaluru has been out of action since a tragic stampede during the team’s IPL 2025 title celebrations, which resulted in multiple casualties and raised serious concerns over the stadium’s safety preparedness. In the aftermath, the Karnataka government and cricket authorities have refrained from granting clearance for major events at the venue. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to make an official announcement regarding Chinnaswamy Stadium’s status for IPL 2026, sources suggest that hosting matches there appears unlikely without extensive safety upgrades and regulatory approvals.
With the new season approaching, RCB are understood to have initiated discussions with the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) to use the MCA International Stadium in Gahunje, Pune, as a temporary home venue. Franchise representatives recently visited Pune to inspect the facilities and evaluate the ground’s readiness to host IPL matches, underlining RCB’s serious intent to shift at least a portion of their home fixtures for IPL 2026.
RCB are not the only franchise eyeing Pune as a potential base. Rajasthan Royals (RR) have also reportedly expressed interest in hosting some of their home matches at the MCA Stadium. This consideration stems from ongoing issues with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) in Jaipur, where administrative disagreements and a high-profile dispute involving match-fixing allegations against franchise officials have created uncertainty. RR have strongly denied the allegations, but the standoff has complicated plans for hosting matches in Jaipur.
The MCA Stadium boasts a strong cricketing pedigree, having hosted international fixtures across formats, including matches during the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup. The venue has also staged IPL games in the past for Pune-based teams such as Pune Warriors India and Rising Pune Supergiant, making it a familiar and proven option for IPL organisers. Its experience in hosting marquee events adds to its appeal for both RCB and RR.
If approved by the BCCI, Pune could become a shared or split base for the two franchises, meaning RCB and RR may host their respective home fixtures there in 2026, a rare occurrence in IPL history. Such a setup might see RCB using Pune for some matches while also utilising another neutral venue for the remainder, or RR using Pune along with their alternate home ground in Guwahati for certain fixtures.
For RCB fans, losing matches at Chinnaswamy known for its fervent crowd and electric atmosphere will be bittersweet. However, playing games across different venues could also provide fresh opportunities to grow their fanbase at the grassroots level in other regions. Meanwhile, RR supporters may welcome the stability that a confirmed Pune base could bring, given the unpredictability of their situation in Jaipur.
Ultimately, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will make the final call on venue allocations for IPL 2026, weighing factors such as safety compliance, infrastructure readiness, and logistical considerations. With the auction and preparation period fast approaching, a formal announcement on where RCB and RR will host their home matches is expected in the coming weeks.
RCB’s home venue in Bengaluru has been out of action since a tragic stampede during the team’s IPL 2025 title celebrations, which resulted in multiple casualties and raised serious concerns over the stadium’s safety preparedness. In the aftermath, the Karnataka government and cricket authorities have refrained from granting clearance for major events at the venue. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to make an official announcement regarding Chinnaswamy Stadium’s status for IPL 2026, sources suggest that hosting matches there appears unlikely without extensive safety upgrades and regulatory approvals.
With the new season approaching, RCB are understood to have initiated discussions with the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) to use the MCA International Stadium in Gahunje, Pune, as a temporary home venue. Franchise representatives recently visited Pune to inspect the facilities and evaluate the ground’s readiness to host IPL matches, underlining RCB’s serious intent to shift at least a portion of their home fixtures for IPL 2026.
RCB are not the only franchise eyeing Pune as a potential base. Rajasthan Royals (RR) have also reportedly expressed interest in hosting some of their home matches at the MCA Stadium. This consideration stems from ongoing issues with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) in Jaipur, where administrative disagreements and a high-profile dispute involving match-fixing allegations against franchise officials have created uncertainty. RR have strongly denied the allegations, but the standoff has complicated plans for hosting matches in Jaipur.
The MCA Stadium boasts a strong cricketing pedigree, having hosted international fixtures across formats, including matches during the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup. The venue has also staged IPL games in the past for Pune-based teams such as Pune Warriors India and Rising Pune Supergiant, making it a familiar and proven option for IPL organisers. Its experience in hosting marquee events adds to its appeal for both RCB and RR.
If approved by the BCCI, Pune could become a shared or split base for the two franchises, meaning RCB and RR may host their respective home fixtures there in 2026, a rare occurrence in IPL history. Such a setup might see RCB using Pune for some matches while also utilising another neutral venue for the remainder, or RR using Pune along with their alternate home ground in Guwahati for certain fixtures.
For RCB fans, losing matches at Chinnaswamy known for its fervent crowd and electric atmosphere will be bittersweet. However, playing games across different venues could also provide fresh opportunities to grow their fanbase at the grassroots level in other regions. Meanwhile, RR supporters may welcome the stability that a confirmed Pune base could bring, given the unpredictability of their situation in Jaipur.
Ultimately, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will make the final call on venue allocations for IPL 2026, weighing factors such as safety compliance, infrastructure readiness, and logistical considerations. With the auction and preparation period fast approaching, a formal announcement on where RCB and RR will host their home matches is expected in the coming weeks.
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