By BD Narayankar
Bengaluru, Jan 21 (.) If Royal Challengers Bengaluru are weighing their options, they would do well to remember that home grounds, like opening partnerships, are not easily replaced.
Senior Karnataka State Cricket Association officials believe that any move away from Bengaluru would not just be a change of venue, but a risk to the very commercial spine of the franchise.
Bengaluru, much like a trusted home pitch, has consistently delivered for RCB. Packed stands at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, sustained noise from the first ball to the last, and a fan base that turns up regardless of results have been central to the franchise’s commercial success over the years.
“From a commercial standpoint, Bengaluru is central to RCB’s brand. Any move away from the Chinnaswamy Stadium, even for a short period, would directly impact ticket revenues and matchday earnings,” a senior KSCA official told ., underlining that these are not runs you can score easily at another ground.
Officials point out that sponsors, much like selectors backing a player, have invested in RCB with Bengaluru firmly in mind. The association between the city and the franchise has been built over seasons, not overnight.
“RCB’s sponsors associate the franchise very strongly with Bengaluru. Shifting home matches elsewhere would dilute that city-based engagement which has been built over many years,” the official said.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium, officials noted, has been a reliable performer, regularly playing to a full house for RCB matches. In commercial terms, that is like a batsman who keeps scoring fifties and hundreds at home — dependable and difficult to drop.
“The Chinnaswamy Stadium records full or near-full capacity for RCB matches, and that level of gate collection is not easy to replicate elsewhere,” the official said.
At the same time, officials acknowledged that the franchise’s caution stems from a key operational grey area — clarity on responsibility-sharing among stakeholders.
Media briefings indicate that written protocols are expected to clearly define accountability for crowd safety, ticketing, perimeter control and crisis response, involving RCB, the KSCA, police and civic authorities, to ensure there is no ambiguity of roles as seen last year.
KSCA officials said this clarity is essential not just for safety compliance, but also for protecting all parties involved.
“Everyone needs to know which end they are bowling from,” an official remarked, indicating that compliance monitoring and reporting would be part of the framework going forward.
KSCA officials also drew attention to the intangible but invaluable factor of fan loyalty. Bengaluru’s supporters, often described as among the most passionate in the league, have given RCB a brand strength that goes well beyond the balance sheet.
“RCB has one of the most engaged fan bases in the IPL, and that engagement translates directly into commercial value when matches are played in Bengaluru,” the official said.
RCB has welcomed the Karnataka Government’s conditional approval to resume matches at the venue but has said it will review safety-related conditions before taking a final call.
KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad has expressed confidence that all requirements will be met and an unconditional clearance secured by the end of February.
For RCB, officials said, the decision now is less about taking a risky shot early and more about seeing out the session. Bengaluru, they suggested, remains the safest pair of hands for the franchise, both on the field and off it.
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