RCB given deadline to inform BCCI for 2026 IPL home venue amidst Chinnaswamy dilemma

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have reportedly been given a firm deadline by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to confirm their home venue for the 2026 Indian Premier League season. Sources said RCB, along with Rajasthan Royals, must communicate their final choice of playing city by January 27. The directive comes as uncertainty continues around the use of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB’s traditional base, following safety concerns and new compliance conditions imposed by the Karnataka state government.

RCB remain keen to retain Bengaluru as their home venue. However, the conditions attached to the stadium’s clearance have complicated the decision. The franchise has been asked to assume responsibility beyond the stadium premises, including crowd control and safety arrangements on surrounding roads. Additional requirements, such as restrictions on DJ usage and the mandatory presence of a fire brigade unit, have also been flagged.

Chinnaswamy clearance and compliance hurdles

The Karnataka government has granted conditional approval for the Chinnaswamy Stadium to host IPL and international matches again. The permission, issued to the Karnataka State Cricket Association, is subject to the implementation of all recommendations made by the Justice Michael D’Cunha commission, which investigated the June 2025 crowd crush outside the venue.

KSCA has indicated that infrastructural and safety upgrades are ongoing, with March 15 set as the internal deadline to complete the remaining works. A final call on spectator capacity will only be taken after a fresh inspection by an expert committee. Despite this progress, RCB are wary of potential liability under the Karnataka Crowd Control Bill, 2025, which mandates strict penalties for lapses in event safety.

Read also: Pakistan backs Bangladesh; Wrote to ICC for '26 T20 WC venue change

Alternative venues and parallel uncertainty

Given the risks, RCB have explored alternative arrangements for IPL 2026. Sources confirmed that plans are in place to split home matches between the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. Two matches are earlier confirmed to be played in Raipur, with the remaining home fixtures likely in Navi Mumbai, should Bengaluru be ruled out.

Rajasthan Royals face a separate issue. Their ability to host matches in Jaipur remains in doubt due to the continued administrative deadlock in the Rajasthan Cricket Association, where elections have not been conducted for years. This impasse threatens the use of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

With the January 27 deadline approaching, the BCCI is seeking clarity to finalise the IPL 2026 schedule. Talks between RCB, the state government and the KSCA are ongoing, with a decision expected before the cut-off