IPL 2026: RCB and Virat Kohli Unlikely To Return To Bengaluru Due To Stampede

Haunted by the memory of a fatal trophy celebration that claimed 11 lives, the franchise is reportedly eyeing Raipur or Indore as its new home turf.

January 9, 2026: The “Sea of Red” may no longer wash over the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In a move that has stunned the cricket world, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is reportedly preparing to relocate its home base for the IPL 2026 season.¹ The decision comes after the stadium became a site of profound tragedy following the team’s historic IPL 2025 victory.

A Celebration Turned Tragedy

On June 4, 2025, what was meant to be a crowning moment for the franchise—celebrating its first-ever IPL title—devolved into a nightmare.

• The Incident: An estimated 2.5 to 3 lakh fans descended upon the stadium, which has a capacity of only 35,000.²
• The Toll: A massive stampede outside the gates left 11 dead (mostly under the age of 40) and over 50 injured.³
• The Controversy: Reports suggest the RCB social media team was alerted to the chaos via Instagram Live comments but continued the broadcast.⁴ The Karnataka government later slammed the event for lacking any Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and an FIR was filed against the franchise and the KSCA.⁵

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Seeking a New Sanctuary: Raipur or Indore?

According to recent reports, RCB has not held any discussions with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) regarding hosting matches in 2026.⁶ The franchise appears determined to distance itself from the “painful memory” of the venue.

Potential New Home	Pros
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium (Raipur)	Massive capacity (65,000+); top contender.
Holkar Stadium (Indore)	Historically a high-scoring ground; massive local fan base.
MCA Stadium (Pune)	Under inspection; currently favored by Rajasthan Royals.

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The “Pune Migration”: Rajasthan Royals Follow Suit

RCB isn’t the only team packing its bags. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have officially confirmed they will shift their home games to Pune for the 2026 season.⁷

• The Conflict: Tensions between RR and the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) reached a breaking point after an RCA official leveled sensational match-fixing allegations against the franchise last year.⁸
• Administrative Turmoil: The RCA’s failure to conduct timely elections and maintain safety protocols at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur led the BCCI to reconsider the venue’s eligibility.⁹

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Impact on the Stars

The shift is particularly poignant for Virat Kohli, who has played at the Chinnaswamy for 18 years. In December 2025, Kohli’s domestic match for Delhi was relocated from the stadium at the last minute, signaling the beginning of the end for his association with the ground.¹⁰

“The safety of our fans is paramount. We remain united in grief,” the franchise stated in a recent retrospective on the 2025 incident, signaling that a return to Bengaluru may not happen until “healing and structural changes” are complete.¹¹