![KSCA confident of hosting RCB's IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium [Source: AFP, @Hello_anuj/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768299103801_RCBChinnaswamyStadiumIPL(1).jpg?type=hq)
KSCA confident of hosting RCB's IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium [Source: AFP, @Hello_anuj/X]
Despite several reports suggesting the relocation of RCB's IPL 2026 matches to Pune and Raipur, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) remains hopeful of hosting the home games in the upcoming season. The infamous stampede incident, which followed RCB's IPL 2025 win and resulted in as many as eleven casualties, highlighted the security loopholes at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, significantly jeopardising the venue's IPL hosting rights.
However, amid all the chaos and reports of Pune and Raipur being proposed as RCB's alternative venues, the KSCA is still hopeful of getting the government approval to conduct international as well as the IPL matches without fuss.
KSCA confident of hosting RCB's IPL 2026 matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
As reported earlier by TOI journalist Gaurav Gupta, the MCA Stadium in Pune and the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chhattisgarh are the frontrunners to be RCB's home venue for the IPL 2026, with uncertainty looming over the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium's hosting rights.
Although the iconic venue in Bengaluru was supposed to host Delhi's Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, which featured talismanic cricketer Virat Kohli, the two games were shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence ground due to security concerns.
Given that the government didn't allow the KSCA to conduct Vijay Hazare Trophy games, serious doubts were raised regarding the venue's rights to host IPL matches, where a larger crowd is expected.
However, as per a latest report from RevSportz, the KSCA officials are confident in getting the formal approval from the Karnataka Government to conduct RCB's home matches in the IPL 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The report claimed that KSCA is also gearing up to host international matches, with India's first Test against New Zealand being the final game at the venue.
“We are confident that we will get international matches. That means IPL can be staged as well," a KSCA source was quoted as saying by RevSportz.
RCB to lose home advantage if Chinnaswamy stadium doesn't host IPL 2026
It's worth mentioning that RCB had prepared their squad, keeping it batting heavy, to suit the playing conditions at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Therefore, if their matches are shifted from Bengaluru to Pune and Raipur, the Royal Challengers will definitely have to re-strategise in order to succeed in the IPL 2026.
RCB have played 105 matches in the IPL, winning 50 of them. Talking about their record at the MCA Stadium in Pune, the Red Brigade has emerged victorious on three out of six occasions. Meanwhile, RCB have been unbeaten at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, winning their solitary IPL match at the venue.
Having said that, the vast difference in the nature of the surface in Bengaluru and those in Pune and Raipur could be the primary reason why they will have to adapt to defend their IPL title in the 2026 season.
