The IPL 2026 season brings unprecedented disruption as two major franchises prepare to abandon their traditional home grounds. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals will play their home matches away from their iconic venues due to administrative complications and safety concerns. RCB will split their fixtures between Navi Mumbai and Raipur, while Rajasthan Royals relocate entirely to Pune. These dramatic shifts mark one of the biggest venue reshuffles in IPL history, stemming from strained relationships with local cricket associations and infrastructure challenges.
IPL 2026 Venue Changes: Complete Breakdown
| Franchise | Traditional Home Venue | IPL 2026 Home Venue(s) | Number of Matches | Reason for Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | Dr. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai | 5 matches | Safety concerns and administrative issues with KSCAAnd the Diversification strategy amid the Bangalore dispute |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur | 2 matches | |
| Rajasthan Royals | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | MCA Stadium, Pune | 7 matches | Strained relations with the Rajasthan Cricket Association |
Why the Venue Changes?
The decision to change venues followed discussions around ground readiness and logistics.
RCB’s Bangalore Exit
Royal Challengers Bangalore’s departure from the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium stems from escalating tensions with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Safety concerns regarding crowd management and stadium infrastructure have created friction between the franchise and local authorities.
Administrative bottlenecks in securing necessary clearances and disagreements over revenue sharing have forced RCB to seek alternative venues. The decision to split matches between two cities represents a calculated risk, maintaining some presence in a major metropolitan market (Navi Mumbai) while exploring newer cricket markets (Raipur).
Rajasthan Royals’ Pune Move
The Royals’ complete relocation to Pune follows prolonged disputes with the Rajasthan Cricket Association over operational control and financial arrangements at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The MCA Stadium in Pune offers modern facilities and has previously hosted IPL matches successfully, making it a logical alternative.
The Venues: Stadium Profiles
Here’s a quick look at the key venues RCB will play at and what to expect from each ground.
Dr. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
This 55,000-capacity venue has hosted IPL matches previously and offers world-class infrastructure. The stadium features excellent batting surfaces with even bounce, typically favoring teams batting second due to evening dew. Located in Mumbai’s satellite city, it provides RCB access to Maharashtra’s massive cricket fanbase. The venue is currently hosting Women’s Premier League matches of 2026, demonstrating its readiness for high-profile cricket.
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
Raipur’s international cricket venue represents IPL’s expansion into emerging markets. With a capacity of approximately 65,000, it’s one of India’s larger cricket stadiums. The venue has hosted international matches and domestic cricket, but remains relatively untested in IPL conditions. For RCB, this represents an opportunity to cultivate a fanbase in central India while the Bangalore situation resolves.
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MCA Stadium, Pune
The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium boasts a capacity of 37,000 and has successfully hosted IPL matches for multiple franchises. Known for its batting-friendly pitches and compact boundaries, Pune has produced high-scoring encounters. Rajasthan Royals will benefit from the stadium’s modern amenities and Pune’s passionate cricket culture, though they’ll miss Jaipur’s fortress-like home advantage.
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