Karnataka Government Greenlights IPL Matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Amid Safety Concerns

The Karnataka government has officially approved the hosting of IPL matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, following a thorough safety review after a tragic stampede during celebrations. This decision allows Royal Challengers Bengaluru to kick off the 2026 season at their home ground, addressing previous safety concerns. The approval comes after a meeting with the Expert Committee, which evaluated the stadium's preparedness. The KSCA expressed gratitude for the support received in facilitating this decision, ensuring that safety measures are now in place for the upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 16, 2026, 18:10 IST

Approval for IPL Matches in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: On Monday, the Karnataka government officially sanctioned the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to host the 2026 Indian Premier League matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This decision comes after a prolonged period of uncertainty following a tragic stampede during the team's first title celebration.

The 19th season of the premier T20 league is set to kick off on March 28, with the defending champions RCB facing off against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the inaugural match at their home ground.

The approval was granted following a meeting led by Karnataka's Home Minister Parameshwar, which included the Expert Committee formed by the state government, along with representatives from the KSCA, RCB, and their event management partner, DNA.

During this meeting, the Expert Committee shared its findings regarding the safety and preparedness measures implemented at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, as stated by KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya.

The Home Minister has officially approved the hosting of IPL matches at the iconic stadium based on the Expert Committee's recommendations and a thorough review of the arrangements.

The KSCA expressed its heartfelt thanks to Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar for his leadership and support in securing this approval.

In addition to the opening match, the stadium will also host the RCB Unboxing event and the tournament's opening ceremony.

RCB previously announced that they would play five of their seven home games in Bengaluru, while two matches will take place at Raipur's Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.

The KSCA also acknowledged the contributions of the Expert Committee members, particularly Shri Sreemant Kumar Singh, the Commissioner of Police, for his effective coordination in ensuring all safety and operational measures were thoroughly assessed.

The KSCA expressed gratitude to all members of the Expert Committee and its sub-committees for their careful evaluations and constructive recommendations that led to this significant decision.

It is worth noting that a stampede occurred near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, during RCB's IPL victory celebrations, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals and injuries to over 30 others, raising serious concerns about crowd management.

Following this incident, the Karnataka government temporarily prohibited sporting events with spectators at the venue until safety protocols were enhanced to meet international standards.

A judicial inquiry later determined that the RCB franchise, KSCA, and DNA Entertainment were responsible for the incident, citing their actions as recklessness bordering on gross negligence in organizing the celebrations.