Bengaluru: Ahead of IPL 2026, there were speculations that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) might have to shift their home matches from the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The stadium had been under scrutiny after a tragic stampede in 2025 that claimed 11 lives during celebrations of RCB’s IPL 2025 title win. As a result, several major events, including Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 matches, had to be relocated.
Deputy CM Assures Fans
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister R.D.K. Shivakumar has reassured RCB fans that all IPL home matches will continue at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Shivakumar said,
“Moving IPL matches from Chinnaswamy Stadium is out of the question. This is a matter of pride for Bengaluru and Karnataka. We will ensure that IPL matches remain here. I am a cricket fan myself, and we will make sure such incidents do not happen again. The stadium’s reputation will be preserved, and a new cricket stadium will also be built as an alternative option.”
Past Event Cancellations
The stadium had lost the opportunity to host several events after the June 4, 2025 stampede. Permissions from the Karnataka State Cricket Association and police were not obtained for the Women’s World Cup matches, and earlier, in August, the Maharaja T20 Tournament was also relocated.
For 2026, Women’s Premier League (WPL) matches will be held outside Bengaluru at Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, and Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, but IPL matches for RCB will remain in Bengaluru, much to the delight of local fans.
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