Last Updated on 2 months ago by Charbel Coorey
Whether Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) play their home games at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026 remains to be seen. According to a Cricbuzz report, the Government of Karnataka have given the green light for matches to be played at the ground, but it is not a done deal yet as of February 22.
Works are currently being undertaken by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) at the stadium. RCB have reportedly requested an unconditional clearance rather than conditional approval following the tragic events at the IPL title celebrations on June 4 last year.
RCB not certain to play home games at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026
“At present, extensive infrastructure and safety enhancement works are underway at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in line with the recommendations of the Expert Committee and other statutory authorities,” said a top KSCA official, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
“Several spectator gates and access points are currently being dismantled and widened, along with other critical improvement works.
“The KSCA has got the government permission to host the IPL matches. However, all the works to be undertaken and completed are under progress and will be completed as per schedule.”
The works are expected to be completed by the end of February. As a backup, RCB are looking at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium at Chhattisgarh as potential option to host matches.
The 2026 IPL season is set to begin on March 26. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to release the schedule for the tournament.
It is believed the reason is twofold. The first is the BCCI usually draws up the schedule around the Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The second is whether the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will be ready.
