Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) may have a new home base in the upcoming IPL 2026 season, with discussions underway to shift matches to the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. The move comes in the aftermath of the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed 11 lives ahead of RCB’s trophy celebration. Since the incident, the Chinnaswamy Stadium has not hosted any cricket games and also missed out on hosting the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, including the final.
Pune Offers To Host RCB’s Home Matches
Confirming the talks, MCA secretary Adv. Kamlesh Pisal stated that the association had reached out to RCB, offering to host their home games. “It’s a very simple thing because RCB has a problem of hosting games in Bengaluru because of that stampede thing. Now, we have come to know through a reliable source that they are looking for a venue.”
“So now, since there is no home team for Pune, we offered them that we have the best facilities and that previously Chennai Super Kings had their (home) games here (in 2018). So we have offered them that we are ready to host games, our infrastructure is ready,” he said. Pisal added that Pune is ideal “infrastructure and logistics-wise,” noting that the city successfully hosted 15 matches during IPL 2022 when games were restricted to only three venues due to Covid-19.
Discussions Progressing After Initial Meeting
Pisal confirmed that an initial round of discussions had already taken place with RCB’s CEO, Praveen Someshwar. He said, “We have our staff and sufficient experience as well as infrastructure available. So we offered them the venue, and then we had a one-round meeting with their CEO (Praveen Someshwar).”
“Now, the only thing is that they will finalise it only after the player auction, which will happen in mid-December. So after the auction, we will get a formal communication from the RCB side,” he explained. The mini auction for IPL 2026 is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi in mid-December, after which a final decision is expected.
Pune’s Strategic Advantage For Hosting IPL Games
The MCA Stadium at Gahunje offers several advantages as a potential home venue. Pisal highlighted its strategic location and accessibility. “The stadium at Gahunje is strategically located on the expressway, and we get crowds from everywhere – the main Pune city, as well as from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, as they are hardly one and a half hours away from here. Economically, of course, it makes a difference and impact.”
He further emphasised Pune’s growing corporate and hospitality ecosystem. “The Hinjewadi IT Park is well-connected and is in the vicinity of the stadium. So a lot of the IT crowd will also come to see the games. Plus, we have a lot of good branded hotels around and all of that will benefit hugely if IPL 2026 comes to Pune. With the ground that we have, the more matches we get, the better it is for all,” he added.
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