The RCB, who are the reigning champions, have decided to shift their IPL 2026 season base from the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has been their home for many years, because of the unfortunate tragedy which led to a stampede during their title celebration.
The horror that shook the franchise and the supporters has virtually hardened the players and fans. The incident that claimed 11 lives and injured many has left a gloomy impression on the franchise and the players and fans.
RCB has reportedly not engaged in any conversation with the Karnataka State Cricket Association about matches in Bengaluru next season.
Virat Kohli’s RCB is intending to relocate for the IPL 2026 season
Further, according to an NDTV report, it is unlikely that RCB will have their home matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026. Raipur is presently leading the charge as the possible host city for RCB’s home games, and Indore is also under consideration as a backup venue.
The hesitance to come back to Bengaluru is not solely confined to the franchise. Some of the top players such as Virat Kohli, despite being a part of the team, have reportedly expressed their reluctance to visit the site of last year’s disaster so soon.
Kohli’s Vijay Hazare Trophy game against Andhra Pradesh was relocated to a different venue, not only due to the ongoing pandemic but also because of the last-minute change at the Chinnaswamy in December.
This decision would be a drastic change for the RCB team, which has been playing at the stadium since the IPL was founded back in 2008. Despite the setback, it seems the franchise is still willing to sacrifice familiarity in exchange for peace of mind considering safety, logistics, and emotional considerations.
The stampede that turned everything upside down
The turning point was when the celebrations of RCB’s IPL 2025 victory turned into a disaster at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The stampede, which resulted from poor management of the crowd at the venue, turned the moment of happiness into tragedy.
The RCB, crowned champions last year, have made the hard but inevitable decision to move their IPL 2026 season base away from the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which was their home for years, due to the unfortunate disaster that occurred during their title celebration and led to a stampede.
The nightmare that horrified the RCB franchise and their fans has, however, almost made the players and fans stronger. The mishap that took 11 lives and caused countless injuries has cast a shadow over the franchise and players and fans alike.
There have been no talks between RCB and the Karnataka State Cricket Association regarding the Bengaluru matches for next season as per the reports.
Virat Kohli’s RCB is planning to move to a different location for the IPL 2026 season.
In addition, as per NDTV’s report, it is almost certain that RCB will not play their home matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL 2026. At present, the city of Raipur is the leading option as the host city for RCB’s home matches, and Indore is being considered as a backup venue.
The reluctance to return to Bengaluru is not only the franchise’s problem. Some of the key players, including Virat Kohli, who is still part of the team, are said to have attitudes against visiting last year’s tragedy site so soon.
Kohli’s match with Andhra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was shifted to another venue not due to the pandemic only but also because of the last-minute venue change at Chinnaswamy in December.
This would be an enormous transformation for the RCB team, which had been playing at that stadium since IPL was established in 2008. Still, it appears the franchise is prepared to let go of the comfort of being familiar in order to have the advantage of mind according to safety, logistics, and emotional factors.
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