The discussion regarding the venue changes for IPL 2026 has been a source of confusion for many people in the last weeks. Initially, it was said that both Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were looking at Pune as their home ground.
However, with recent changes, the situation is much more defined: RCB is nearly certain to stay at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and Rajasthan Royals will probably transfer some of their home matches to Pune.
Why RCB Will Play IPL 2026 in Bengaluru
The uncertainty surrounding RCB’s venue began with the fatal stampede incident during their IPL 2025 victory celebrations, which sparked discussions about moving games to other cities. However, the situation has altered after the ruling of the Karnataka High Court regarding KSCA.
High Court Approves KSCA Elections
The High Court of Karnataka has given the order that KSCA elections will take place on December 7, with the retired Justice Subash B. Adi as the supervisor.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj issued the directive while dismissing the petitions that KSCA and B.K. Ravi had filed. This ruling brought immediate clarity and stability back to the association, while also eliminating the main hurdle that was holding up the venue plan for IPL 2026.
Why This Election Matters for RCB
With the elections now set for December 7, the results will be declared on that same date as well. There is a great deal of speculation that the panel of Venkatesh Prasad will emerge as the winner.
Prasad has already given a public statement regarding the matter and has mentioned that in case his team wins the elections, he will make sure that IPL matches are played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
This declaration carries a lot of significance given that:
- KSCA has authority over the stadium.
- The new administration will be able to provide security, facilities, and communication with BCCI.
- There will be no more need to transfer operations to Pune.
Also read: NZ vs WI Test: New Zealand Announces 14-Man Squad for Home Test Series Against West Indies
So what does this mean for RCB?
It means that RCB will not shift their home base. With elections happening and with Prasad’s team expected to take charge, RCB will play IPL 2026 in Bengaluru, at their iconic home ground. The Chinnaswamy atmosphere, the noise, the energy, the RCB fans will stay exactly where it belongs.
Rajasthan Royals Are Still Looking at Pune
The Rajasthan Royals desire to move some of their home games out of Jaipur is not merely a matter of convenience, but rather a result of a longstanding conflict with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) that is even deeper than the surface.
The controversy has accumulated for months at both administrative and internal levels. The connection between RR and RCA has become more and more difficult, and the breaking point came last season when the situation escalated to an unprecedented level.
One of the RCA officials, in a most unprofessional manner, made an accusation against the Rajasthan Royals of match-fixing that deeply shocked and outraged the franchise. The very next moment, the RR team was there to deny the accusation and demand severe punishment for the speaker. The franchise believed that such a grave and unfounded accusation had not only tarnished their reputation but also indicated how fragile their partnership with the RCA had become.
The trust between the two parties has been significantly weakened subsequently. The absence of a definitive resolution paired with the ongoing conflict led the RR management to think about the option of conducting matches in other places where they would be offered seamless facilitation and welcoming administration. Pune has been recognized as the alternative of their choice.
Pune Is Their Preferred Option
As per diverse news sources: Already, RR performed an extensive reconnaissance of the MCA Stadium located in Pune. They are looking into a scenario where 4–5 matches occur in Pune. The other matches could be played in Guwahati, which is already their secondary fan base.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association(MCA) management has acknowledged that conversations have occurred. Among the franchises, RR is the one that has the most chances to go to Pune next season.
Final Word
IPL 2026 will bring many changes, but one big relief for fans is clear: RCB are staying at Chinnaswamy, thanks to the High Court’s intervention and the upcoming KSCA elections. Rajasthan Royals, however, may still begin a new chapter in Pune as they search for stability away from Jaipur.
Written By:- Manjunath S