Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to play home games in Pune?:Maharashtra Cricket Association offers to host franchise’s fixtures IPL 2026

Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru are expected to shift its home ground to the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium for IPL 2026. Notably, the change in approach has come due to the ongoing suspension that is imposed on Chinnaswamy Stadium for hosting such events after the RCB victory parade stampede on June 4. The potential arrangement for the upcoming season of the cash-rich domestic league was confirmed by the MCA (Maharashtra Cricket Association) secretary Kamlesh Pisal. However, he is still awaiting confirmation from the Bengaluru-based franchise’s management. ‘Pune will host the matches’- MCA secretary Kamlesh Pisal Honorary secretary of MCA told Times of India recently, “This arrangement (Pune hosting RCB’s matches) is in discussion, but it’s not confirmed yet. They have a problem in Karnataka because of the stampede that happened. So they are looking out for a venue, and we have offered them our stadium.” “There are preliminary discussions and a couple of technical things which need to be sorted out. If things fall in place, then, yes, Pune will host the matches, ” MCA secretary further added in his statement. He also revealed that the decision regarding the home venue for RCB might come out after the IPL mini auction around 13 and 15 December. Why Pune is the next potential venue after Bengaluru? ​​​​​​​Speaking about why Pune is the most suitable to be the most suitable venue for the Bengaluru-based franchise, Kamlesh Pisal told the media, “The most ideal location for them, after Bengaluru, is Pune. Airport, hotel accommodation logistics, capacity of the ground, and fan base, if you count everything.” Chinnaswamy Stadium is out of equation due to unfortunate stampede incident When Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the IPL 2025 title after beating Punjab Kings in the final, the team announced on social media a victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate its victory. However, the government refused permission due to security reasons. People crowded outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium on the evening of June 4, which led to a stampede in which 11 people were killed and several others were injured. Later on, judicial panel in its investigations found that RCB, an event management firm, and the Bengaluru city police were accountable for the lapses that led to the stampede. Ultimately, the state government assigned committee found the Chinnaswamy Stadium “unsafe” for large-scale events and recommended relocating such events to venues better suited for managing significant crowds.