IPL 2026: RCB given January 27 deadline to inform BCCI about home venue

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been asked to inform the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) by January 27 about their choice of playing cities for the upcoming IPL 2026, sources have confirmed.

While Royal Challengers Bengaluru are keen to continue playing their home matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, certain conditions imposed by the Karnataka state government have emerged as a major hurdle. According to sources, RCB have been asked to take responsibility not only for stadium-related arrangements but also for the road outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, along with additional compliance measures. These include restrictions on DJ usage and provisions for setting up a fire brigade unit in the surrounding area.

Sources close to the franchise say RCB believe the state government is shifting civic and administrative liabilities onto the franchise, a stance they feel is unfair and beyond the scope of their responsibility.

The franchise is now expected to hold discussions with the state government and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) before communicating its final position to the IPL Governing Council.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals continue to face uncertainty over hosting IPL matches in Jaipur. The long-standing issue of no elections being held in the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has once again surfaced, impacting the franchise’s ability to use the Sawai Mansingh Stadium as a home venue. The administrative impasse has persisted for several years and has now resulted in Jaipur potentially losing IPL fixtures.

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