Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are using two separate stadiums as their home venues during the 2026 IPL season.
This shift in scheduling reflects a strategic effort by franchises to broaden their regional fan bases while managing the logistical constraints of stadium availability. By moving home games to secondary cities, teams can engage new markets and reduce the pressure on primary metropolitan venues.
Punjab Kings began their home campaign in New Chandigarh, where they played their first four home games [2]. The team will subsequently move a portion of its remaining schedule to a different location. Specifically, Punjab Kings will play three home matches in Dharamshala [1]. This split allows the franchise to maintain a presence in two distinct regions of the state.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru is following a similar pattern of venue diversification. While the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru remains the primary home, the team is shifting its final two home games of the season to Raipur [3]. This move includes a high-profile home game against Mumbai Indians, which will take place in Raipur rather than the traditional Bengaluru stadium.
League officials and team management said that these decisions are based on managing stadium availability and adapting to the 2026 schedule's logistical requirements. The use of multiple venues allows teams to navigate scheduling conflicts that often arise in densely packed tournament calendars.
Both teams are utilizing these secondary cities to foster deeper connections with supporters outside their primary hubs. The strategy transforms home-field advantage into a mobile operation, bringing the professional game to fans who may not have the means to travel to major cities.
“Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are using two separate stadiums as their home venues”
The adoption of dual-venue home strategies by major IPL franchises suggests a move toward a more decentralized model of sports ownership. By treating multiple cities as 'home,' teams can maximize commercial opportunities and increase ticket sales in emerging markets, reducing the reliance on a single stadium's capacity and availability.
