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IPL 2026: Team will not play in Chinnaswamy, still RCB is going to spend crores on the stadium, will invest money in this work

Sanjeev Kumar | January 17, 2026 6:22 AM CST

RCB is taking steps to improve Chinnaswamy StadiumImage Credit source: PTI

IPL champion Royal Challengers Bangalore will try to defend its title this year. But Bengaluru, which won IPL for the first time, will not be able to play on its home ground as champion this season. Last year, after RCB's title win, there was a stampede during the celebrations outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, in which 11 people died. Due to that, currently any kind of cricket is banned in this stadium. But despite this, the franchise is preparing to spend crores of rupees on this stadium. The franchise has announced that it will spend about Rs 4.5 crore on installing new cameras in the stadium.

Why is RCB spending on installing cameras?

RCB announced this on a social media post on January 16. The franchise told that it has proposed to Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to install 300 to 350 AI cameras in the stadium. These cameras will serve as surveillance in and outside the stadium and help in crowd management. According to the franchise, these cameras will help KSCA and security agencies in proper crowd management, proper management of queues outside the stadium and keeping an eye on those trying to enter the stadium illegally.

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In a formal communication to the KSCA, RCB has proposed the installation of 300 to 350 AI-enabled cameras at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. pic.twitter.com/LuJ3v4uNwa
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 16, 2026

This proposal is part of the 'RCB Cares' initiative, which was started by the franchise after the accident on June 4, 2025. RCB said that it has also proposed to KSCA that the franchise will completely bear the expenses of around Rs 4.5 crore for installing the cameras. To accomplish this work, RCB has partnered with 'Staqu' company, which works on public safety through automation.

Where will RCB play its matches?

As far as RCB matches are concerned, this season the franchise may be seen playing in two different stadiums. Two matches of the franchise will be played in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, which has been announced by the Chief Minister of the state himself. Whereas the remaining matches of Maharashtra are expected to be played in Pune. The franchise has already discussed this with the Maharashtra Cricket Association and has also taken stock of the Pune stadium. However, no official announcement has been made yet in this regard.