Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will not be able to use the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai as a home venue for the IPL 2026 season. The DY Patil Stadium option was ruled out after the Mumbai Indians (MI) declined to give approval to RCB, who are still searching for a ground to host their matches in IPL 2026.
Cricket has not been played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium since June last year after a stampede occurred outside the venue during RCB’s IPL title celebrations. 11 people lost their lives, while many others suffered injuries, raising concerns over crowd control and security arrangements at the venue.
Mumbai Indians Deny NOC to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for DY Patil Stadium
According to a report by the Times of India, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru were denied permission to host their matches at the DY Patil Stadium. Mumbai Indians did not grant the required No Objection Certificate (NOC).
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“If a franchise wants to establish a home base not far from the home of another franchise, it needs clearance to go ahead. It is the same catchment area. Wankhede and DY Patil are not far apart. If a franchise wants to set up a base at DY Patil, it cannot happen without approval from the one operating out of Wankhede. MI reasoned, ‘Why only DY Patil and not any other stadium in the country? There are plenty,’” explained the source.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Explore Raipur and Indore Options for IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already held detailed talks with the Chhattisgarh government about staging at least two home matches in Raipur during the 2026 season.
With DY Patil Stadium ruled out, Indore has become a strong option to host the remaining five games. Indore was discussed earlier as well, but it has returned to focus only after DY Patil dropped out of contention.
“There were discussions when DY Patil was in the race too, but now that it is no longer there, Indore is back in the mix,” added the source.
Chinnaswamy Stadium Undergoes Upgrades as RCB Await Final Decision on IPL 2026 Venue
The Chinnaswamy Stadium is being upgraded in line with 17 recommendations made by the Justice D’Cunha committee, with the KSCA already starting work on most of the required changes.
Amid this process, RCB held talks with Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday. The meeting included RCB COO Rajesh Menon, KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad, and other officials.
The IPL Governing Council and the BCCI will release the schedule soon. Officials are set to inspect the venue on Wednesday, after which more clarity is expected.
“At the Wednesday meeting, senior government, police and law officials will discuss what can be done at the government level and the instructions to be given to the KSCA. The extent of redressal of issues flagged by the Justice D’Cunha committee will have to be considered. We need the CM’s approval,” Parameshwara said.
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