Chinnaswamy Stadium Barred from Hosting IPL: Top 3 Venues That Can Host RCB’s Home Matches?

With the IPL 2026 approaching faster, the preparation for the event has started to take shape. IPL 2026 is yet to begin, and teams have already started making moves for the best possible trade-offs and strategic discussions ahead of the new season. However, with the new season coming up, the tension for the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, comes into play.

The franchise that celebrated its first trophy at home now faces the uncertainty about where it will host its home matches next season. As the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, RCB’s home ground since the inaugural season, has been barred from hosting any IPL games, it has left the franchise in trouble and a dilemma about its future venue.

Top 3 Venues That Can be Chinnaswamy Stadium Replacement

The confusion over the RCB home matches continues as there is no update from the Board or even the franchise. However, as per reports, there are several discussions ongoing, and the decision is likely to depend on the logistics and security decisions before the tournament begins. So, now let's have a look at the top three venues that can be M. Chinnaswamy stadium replacement for the IPL 2026.

1. Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Pune

According to reports, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) stadium in Pune is the leading contender to host RCB’s home matches after the previous Stampede tragedy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The MCA stadium has a capacity of around 37,000 and has previously hosted games for different franchises, including Rising Pune Supergiant and Pune Warriors India home games. As a result, it can act as RCB home ground 2026 season.

2. DY Patil in Navi Mumbai

DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai is another key venue being considered for the Chinnaswamy ground replacement for RCB home matches for the upcoming IPL 2026. This stadium has hosted various matches, including finals of the IPL 2008 and 2010 seasons. This ground has served venue for matches in 2022 and also in 2011.

3. ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam

Although the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium serves as the home ground for the Delhi Capitals could be the new RCB home for IPL 2026. The ground has hosted a total of 17 IPL matches successfully and has also hosted many International matches. It can be the new home ground after RCB home ground ban.

What Led to Chinnaswamy Stadium Ban from IPL?

The Karnataka government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have declared the M. Chinnaswamy unfit for hosting any matches after the RCB win parade stampede incident, where many lost their lives on June 4, 2025. The stadium is one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world but the Karnataka state government appointed a judicial commission led by Justice John Michael D’Cunha to investigate what caused the disaster.

The commission later gave a report stating serious safety loopholes at the venue. It states that the stadium design and architecture were unsuitable for mass gathering, and there was no proper management to handle the crowd, emergency planning, and security arrangements. Following these findings, the stadium was dropped as a venue for the ICC Women’s World Cup and other domestic tournaments, including IPL 2026.