The venue situation for the IPL 2026 season has become one of the biggest talking points ahead of the tournament, with uncertainty surrounding matches at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. While the stadium remains in line to host IPL games, conditional approvals and safety concerns have forced the BCCI and franchises to prepare backup plans.
On Wednesday, January 22, 2026, discussions intensified as officials reviewed whether Bengaluru could safely host high-profile IPL matches, including the season opener. Until a final call is taken, alternative venues such as DY Patil Stadium and Mullanpur Stadium have emerged as strong options.
Why Chinnaswamy Is Still Not Fully Cleared
The Karnataka government has given conditional permission to resume matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium after the tragic June 4 stampede, which resulted in 11 fan deaths during victory celebrations. Since then, the Karnataka State Cricket Association has carried out major safety upgrades.
Key improvements include:
- Gates widened by 6 metres
- Dedicated emergency holding areas
- Fire safety capacity increased to 50,000 litres
- Separate entry queues for women and children
- Queen’s Road marked traffic-free on match days
- Ramps and access facilities for disabled spectators
Despite this progress, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has raised concerns over “grey areas,” mainly about responsibility and liability in case of any future incidents. The franchise wants clear guidelines involving all stakeholders before committing fully.
🚨 IPL 2026 UPDATE 🚨 [Abhishek Tripathi]
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 22, 2026
– BCCI has given two options for the opening match if Chinnaswamy is not hosting IPL this year.
1) Opening match in DY Patil Stadium or 2) in PBKS home ground, Mullanpur as they were the Runner-up.
– It is almost confirmed that… pic.twitter.com/Pw02AdVsry
Backup Venues: DY Patil and Mullanpur
With no final clearance yet, the BCCI has kept two strong backup options ready if Bengaluru cannot host the opening match:
| Option | Reason |
|---|---|
| DY Patil Stadium | Proven large-crowd handling, modern facilities |
| Mullanpur Stadium | Punjab Kings’ home ground, chosen due to runner-up status |
RCB has also internally evaluated hosting matches outside Bengaluru if clarity is delayed. However, officials from KSCA have publicly urged the franchise to play all seven home matches at Chinnaswamy, calling it the team’s true home and fan base.
The IPL is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026, with RCB set to play the opening match as defending champions. The BCCI has not announced the final schedule or opener venue yet, waiting for RCB’s final decision after safety approvals are completed.
If Chinnaswamy receives full clearance before February, Bengaluru is expected to host IPL matches as planned. If not, DY Patil or Mullanpur will step in—ensuring the tournament begins smoothly without risk.
For now, Chinnaswamy remains in contention, not confirmed—and the next few weeks will decide whether IPL 2026 returns to the heart of Bengaluru or moves to a backup venue.
