We will take steps to ensure that the next IPL matches are held in M Chinnaswamy Stadium: Karnataka Deputy CM

On Sunday, December 7, the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar assured the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans that the franchise’s home games will be held in the city at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Notably, after the recent stampede situation at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after RCB’s first-ever IPL title win in June 2025, 11 people lost their lives, which led to the stadium not getting any games for its upcoming IPL 2026 season. 

There were reports that RCB is looking for the MCA Stadium in Pune as its home venue. However, the new statement from the Karnataka Deputy CM has assured that the franchise doesn’t look for any new home venue.

“This is a matter of respect for the state of Karnataka and Bengaluru. We will take steps to ensure that the next IPL matches are held here. I am a cricket fan. We will take care that the recent disaster does not happen again and ensure that the stadium’s dignity remains. The stadium will be developed by managing the crowd within the legal framework. In addition, we will build a bigger stadium as an alternative," Shivakumar said as quoted by News18.

Last month, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru retained 17 players ahead of the IPL 2026 Mini Auction. Among the capped players released are the overseas duo of Liam Livingstone (INR 8.75 Cr) and Lungi Ngidi (INR 1 Cr), while Mayank Agarwal (INR 1 Cr), who replaced Devdutt Padikkal after the southpaw picked up an injury in May 2025, has also been released.

RCB releases

Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi, Mayank Agarwal, Swastik Chikara, Tim Seifert, Manoj Bhandage, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee.

RCB retentions

Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Salam Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Abhinandan Singh.

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