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IPL 2026: The schedule of the first phase of IPL 2026 has been released, but the current champion Royal Challengers Bangalore There is still uncertainty regarding the home ground. The team has not yet officially confirmed M Chinnaswamy Stadium as its main home ground. Now the final decision on this will be taken on Friday 13 March.

This situation is due to the ongoing dispute between Royal Challengers Bangalore, Karnataka State Cricket Association and the state government. This controversy started after the tragic stampede incident that took place in June 2025.

Will matches not be held at Chinnaswamy Stadium?

However, according to reports, BCCI has listed Bengaluru as the venue for the first match of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28. But the franchise has asked for an additional 24 hours to review the new security arrangements.

When will it be decided whether the match will take place or not?

On March 11, a high-level committee comprising Home Department officials and security experts conducted the final inspection of the stadium. The report of this inspection will be placed before RCB officials on March 13. After this the team will decide whether it will play the match in Bengaluru itself or will opt for its alternative grounds.

What did the Karnataka government say?

The main reason for the delay is not the structure of the stadium but the dispute over the legal responsibility of crowd management. According to the report, the Karnataka government has given conditional permission. Under this permission, RCB has also been asked to take responsibility of the public roads and surrounding areas outside the stadium, whereas usually this responsibility is handled by the local police.

What are the arrangements in the stadium?

Some new security conditions have also been imposed. Based on the report of Justice D’Cunha Committee, the capacity of the stadium has been asked to be limited to 35 thousand spectators. Along with this, a condition has also been laid to install more than 350 AI based cameras and keep a permanent fire brigade unit in the stadium. RCB is considering the expenses and legal risks associated with these terms.

If an agreement is not reached between RCB and the state government, then the team has two alternative plans ready. Under the first plan, the team has made preparations to hold two matches at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.

What are the alternatives to Chinnaswamy Stadium?

Indore has emerged as another option. Earlier there was also an option of DY Patil Stadium, but Mumbai Indians had objected to it citing territorial rights. After this, if matches are not possible in Bengaluru, then the remaining five home matches can be held in Indore.