Copyright The Cricket Times
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the spiritual home of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has been reportedly indefinitely suspended from hosting major events following a tragic crowd crush on June 4, 2025, which marred the celebrations of RCB’s maiden IPL title victory. IPL 2026: New leading contender for RCB’s home base with danger looming over Chinnaswamy Stadium According to the Times of India report, the stampede, which took place outside the stadium during the planned victory parade, claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured. A state government-backed judicial commission subsequently deemed the iconic venue unsuitable and unsafe for mass gatherings, citing inadequate infrastructure and severe crowd management failures. Consequently, the stadium was stripped of hosting duties for the KSCA Maharaja T20 Trophy and the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, making it highly unlikely to host any IPL matches in the upcoming 2026 season. The report stated that with the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium out of action due to the ongoing safety restrictions and lack of clearances, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Gahunje, Pune, has quickly emerged as the frontrunner to host RCB’s home fixtures for the entire IPL 2026 season. RCB, who won their historic IPL 2025 title after a 17-year wait, are reportedly in advanced discussions with the MCA to temporarily shift their base. MCA Secretary Kamlesh Pai confirmed the preliminary talks, noting that Pune offers the most viable alternative to Bengaluru, considering multiple logistical and fan-base factors. “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 there are a couple of technical things which need to be sorted out. If things fall in place then, probably yes, Pune will host the matches.” Pai further highlighted Pune’s suitability, concluding: “The most ideal location for them, after Bengaluru, is Pune. Airport, hotel accommodation logistics, capacity of the ground, fan base, if you count everything.” Also READ: IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Here’s why RCB’s name and brand will stay intact IPL 2026: RCB faces unprecedented season away from home If the move to the MCA Stadium is finalized, a venue where RCB has a favorable past record, winning six of their nine previous matches, it will mark a historic and heartbreaking first for the franchise. The 2026 season would be the first time in IPL history that RCB will play an entire season without hosting a single match in Bengaluru, breaking the unique bond they share with their loyal Chinnaswamy crowd since the inaugural 2008 season. The indefinite suspension is a massive blow to the team and its massive fanbase, coming immediately after their long-awaited maiden IPL triumph on June 3, 2025. The shift means the defending champions will have to adapt quickly to new conditions in Pune, carrying the momentum of their victory into a completely unfamiliar temporary home environment.
