The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad expressed on Thursday that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is not so sure about conducting their IPL 2026 home matches in Bengaluru. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has, however, received the government’s consent to conduct international and IPL matches, months after the stampede incident that happened when RCB won the 2025 title. Despite this, RCB has not yet informed the BCCI that they will be hosting the matches in the city. According to the BCCI, the team has until January 27 to notify them of their decision. Prasad pointed out that it is up to RCB entirely to continue talking with the state government.
“We are hoping RCB will play all their matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, including the opening game. We are working hard to get the unconditional clearance from the Karnataka government to host IPL and international matches at Chinnaswamy by the end of February so that we can hand it over to the BCCI,” Prasad stated during a press conference.
“The responsibility now rests with RCB to negotiate with the Karnataka government and move this forward; it is their duty to come back to Bengaluru, not to take the game away from the city,” he added.
Prasad went on to imply that the franchise seems to be playing a waiting game in terms of speaking with the authorities. The Karnataka government has purportedly asked RCB for several guarantees regarding IPL games, and insiders at the franchise suggest that they are not pleased with some of the conditions.
“We perceive RCB as keeping silent and not advancing the conversation with the administration. RCB has contacted the KSCA about the possibility of hosting IPL matches but I think it should have been done way earlier than this. My impression is that RCB lacks strong assurance about the IPL being held at this place,” he expressed.
“RCB has gained this stature because of the local supporters; they are duty-bound to the people of Bengaluru,” the ex-Indian paceman finished the statement.
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