Karnataka government granted conditional approval for IPL 2026 matches at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, urging the Royal Challengers Bengaluru(RCB) to confirm hosting home matches in Bengaluru.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association has urged RCB to confirm their home matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for IPL 2026 after the state government granted conditional approval for hosting. KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad said the association has completed most formalities with local authorities and expects full clearance soon.
Prasad stated that the groundwork has already been done to ensure the smooth conduct of games. He added that the next step rests with the franchise, which must engage directly with the government to finalise arrangements. The KSCA believes RCB should play all seven of their home matches in Bengaluru next season.
“We have received the conditional permission from the government, and we are confident of getting an unconditional permission sooner rather than later, and after doing all this, I sincerely hope that Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play all their seven home matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium,” Prasad was quoted as saying by PTI.
“So, now the ball is in RCB’s court. I also hope that RCB also gets involved and engages with the government for smooth conduct of the matches. So far, it has been only one-sided. We are doing this for cricket. Whether it is IPL or international matches. We are doing this for cricket,” he continued.
“So, from here onwards, the RCB has to take things forward. It is the responsibility of the RCB to take this dialogue forward. It is their responsibility to come back here and play and not to take the game away from Bengaluru. They have grown to this level only because of having played in Bengaluru and because of the Bengaluru crowd. So, I have asked them to come and play here,” Prasad added.
RCB Yet to Confirm Bengaluru as Venue for Home Matches
Meanwhile, RCB acknowledged the Karnataka government’s conditional approval and commended the KSCA for its stadium upgrades. However, RCB has not yet confirmed Bengaluru as the venue for all home matches. The franchise cited unresolved concerns and the need to review feedback from various stakeholders before making a final decision.
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A decision is expected within 10 days. KSCA officials also revealed that the BCCI has assured Bengaluru of hosting international matches in the near future.
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