No RCB at DY Patil Stadium? Mumbai Indians deny defending champions ahead of IPL 2026

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) continue their hunt to find a new home venue for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, as the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai is off the table. It has been learnt that the RCB have been asked by the Mumbai Indians to ‘exhaust other options’ before coming to the venue of Navi Mumbai.

The reports of the Times of India (TOI) have claimed that the developments explain that it would be the same area of the Mumbai Indians franchise and won’t paint a bright picture going forward. Generally, an IPL franchise can’t choose a venue in a different city without the approval of the city’s franchise.

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“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?” The TOI report expressed.

MI ask RCB to consider different venues ahead of IPL 2026 before Navi Mumbai

It has also been addressed that the RCB have already detailed their discussions with the Chhattisgarh government about hosting at least two of their home games in Raipur for the 2026 season. With no DY being available at the moment, the Holkar Stadium in Indore could host the five other home games for them.

“There are plenty. MI is of the opinion that RCB must exhaust other options before coming to DY Patil. There are so many non-IPL centers in the country. There are established centers like Rajkot, Pune, Raipur, Vizag, and Indore. The current situation is simple: if MI says yes to DY Patil, then tomorrow some other team can come and express desire to host their matches at Brabourne.” The TOI report claimed.

“It kills the sanctity of home territories. And there needs to be a strong reasoning in place why RCB is not ready to play at these centers and is only interested in DY Patil.” It has been informed.