In a major boost to the sporting landscape of North Karnataka, first-class domestic cricket is set to return to the city of Belagavi. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Stadium in Belagavi has been officially designated as a venue for the upcoming Ranji Trophy Elite 2026–27 season, hosting an Elite Group B clash between home giants Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.
According to the official schedule published, the multi-day encounter is slated to commence on Sunday, January 17, 2027, with play beginning daily at 9:30 AM IST (04:00 GMT).
The 2026–27 edition of India’s premier red-ball tournament will run across five months—from October 11 to March 2—comprising 119 four-day matches. The allocation of a high-profile home fixture to Belagavi highlights the KSCA’s continued drive to bring premier state cricket beyond Bengaluru and into regional hubs like Hubballi, Mysuru, and Belagavi.
The KSCA Stadium in Belagavi, which previously entered the first-class limelight during the 2016–17 domestic season when it hosted two Ranji Trophy matches, will once again open its gates to top-tier red-ball action.
Local cricket administrators and enthusiasts have welcomed the announcement, anticipating a lively turnout from fans eager to see the state’s premier squad battle for crucial knockout qualifying points on local soil.
