Mumbai Indians say no to RCB’s proposed dwelling base for IPL 2026: Reports

Uncertainty continues to loom around Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and their home venue for the IPL 2026 season. The franchise proposed the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai as their home base, which has reportedly been rejected by the Mumbai Indians (MI).

According to a report in The Times of India, MI have asked RCB to exhaust all their other options before considering DY Patil as their home venue for the 2026 season.

The report added that sources close to the development have revealed that MI does not want to set such an example.

“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. MI is of the opninion that RCB must exhaust other options before coming to DY Patil. There are so many non-IPL centres in the country,” a source was quoted as saying.

The source further explained that MI giving a green signal today could lead to other franchises wanting to host their games in Mumbai in the future as well, which would no longer let the city remain MI’s home territory.

Will RCB not play their home games at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru?

The iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has not hosted any major game since the unfortunate incident that occurred during RCB’s victory celebrations after winning IPL 2025.

The stadium is being upgraded at the moment, as per recommendations from Justice D’Cunha. The franchise also met the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad, the Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara. The franchise’s COO, Rajesh Menon, also attended the meeting.

While the KSCA remains optimistic about the team returning to the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the franchise is still looking at other options. The franchise will have to make a decision soon and communicate the same to the IPL Governing Council and the BCCI as soon as possible for the fixtures to be released on time.