A final decision on whether defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champion Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will play its home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to be made in the coming week. Speculation arose after the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) thanked RCB for inspecting the MCA Stadium in Pune, fueling rumors of a potential venue change.
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has faced scrutiny since a tragic stampede occurred during RCB’s title-winning celebrations in 2025, resulting in 11 fatalities. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) must implement recommendations from the Justice Michael D’Cunha report before matches can be held there. The State government recently denied permission for Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at the stadium due to non-compliance, leading to matches being played in closed doors at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
KSCA’s official spokesperson, Vinay Mruthyunjaya, stated that discussions with RCB are ongoing, and no official confirmation has been given regarding a venue change. The upcoming Ranji Trophy match between Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh will be held at the Alur Grounds. Mruthyunjaya mentioned that the Chinnaswamy Stadium was never considered for the match due to ongoing preparations.
An official statement regarding RCB’s home matches is expected next week. The uncertainty surrounding the venue has left fans eager to know where their beloved team will play its IPL matches in the upcoming season. The article was published on January 13, 2026.
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