IPL 2026: No RCB matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru? Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar puts to rest all speculations

Reports of a controversial shake-up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 The season was sparked by a tragic stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium earlier this year. Now that the stadium is temporarily deemed unsafe for mass gatherings, hosting rights are in favor Bengaluru’s Royal Challengers (RCB) home games were seriously questioned. Rumors swirled that the franchise would be forced to move its matches to an alternate venue. The MCA Stadium in Pune quickly became the frontrunner, with Maharashtra Cricket Association officials confirming that preliminary discussions were underway to offer their ground as a potential temporary home for RCB.

IPL 2026: RCB to miss matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium? Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar ends uncertainty

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has emphatically put to rest all speculations about relocating IPL matches from Bengaluru and ensured that all matches for the 2026 season will remain at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After casting his vote in the KSCA elections, Shivakumar stated that losing the IPL was unacceptable and viewed the tournament as a symbol of the state’s pride.

He directly answered questions about rescheduling of matches, including the IPL, following the stadium tragedy, and issued a firm, unequivocal statement: “This is a matter of respect for the state of Karnataka and Bengaluru. We will take steps to ensure that the next IPL matches are held here.” Highlighting his personal commitment to the sport, Shivakumar said: “I’m a cricket fan.”

He added that the government would ensure that all available cricket matches, including women’s cricket matches, would be organised: “We will allow all available matches in the coming days.” His pledge stands as a major political commitment to maintain Bengaluru’s status as a central hub for Indian cricket, dismissing reports citing security and structural concerns.

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Commitment to safety improvements and plan for a new stadium

The deputy CM’s assurance came with an explicit commitment to address the security issues that led to the temporary suspension of the stadium following the stampede during the RCB title celebrations, which tragically claimed 11 lives. The incident, caused by an overwhelming crowd, raised serious questions about crowd management and the venue’s infrastructure.

Shivakumar described the government’s dual strategy to restore the stadium’s reputation and expand the city’s cricketing capacity: “We will ensure that the recent disaster does not happen again and ensure that the dignity of the stadium is preserved.” He emphasized that the facility would be operated with strict legal and safety measures in the future: “The stadium will be developed by managing the audience within the legal framework.”

Furthermore, he unveiled a long-term plan to develop new infrastructure, which would act as a contingency and a way to support the growing demand for large-scale competitions: “We will also build a larger stadium as an alternative.” This comprehensive plan is aimed at securing the future of major cricket events in Bengaluru.

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