Good news for RCB and Kohli fans, Chinnaswamy stadium set for IPL and International games after…
The Karnataka government gave approval on Saturday 17th January, for Chinnaswamy Stadium to host IPL and international matches. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) shared the news in a press release, confirming the government’s permission to hold major games at the venue.
What measures will be taken?
The KSCA stated that they were allowed to bring cricket back to the famous ground after meeting specific conditions set by the government. The cricket body also mentioned that they have submitted a detailed plan to the expert review committee and will put in place safety, security and crowd management measures.
Where is the official statement?
“We are pleased to inform you that the Home Department, Government of Karnataka, has granted permission to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host international and IPL matches at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.”
“The permission is subject to compliance with specific terms and conditions prescribed by the Government and the concerned Authorities.”
“KSCA is confident of fulfilling all the stipulated conditions. The Association has already presented a detailed compliance roadmap before the Expert Review Committee and remains fully committed to implementing all safety, security, and crowd-management measures in letter and spirit,” read the statement from KSCA.
What did the state government ask to hold IPL 2026 matches at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium?
The chance of holding Indian Premier League 2026 matches at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium was unclear after the state government asked for a complete safety inspection of the stadium before giving approval.
The Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) officially requested the KSCA to provide a full report on the stadium’s structural safety. The inspection had to be done by experts approved by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to make sure it met strict technical and safety standards.
Why did Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium lost it’s hosting rights?
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium hasn’t hosted any matches since the tragic stampede in June, which led to 11 deaths and nearly 50 injuries during an event to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first IPL title win.
Around a month later, an independent panel led by Justice John Michael D’Cunha found that the stadium was not safe for large events. The report from the panel issued a serious warning, saying that holding major events at the venue could endanger public safety.
The report said that the stadium is not properly equipped to manage large crowds, especially concerning crowd control, emergency readiness, and traffic management in the city.
After the report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) removed Bengaluru’s right to host the Women’s ODI World Cup matches and moved them to DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Bengaluru was originally set to host several important games, including the final. The city was also removed as a host for the men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for February and March 2026.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has been the home ground of Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the start of the IPL and is known as one of the most fan-friendly stadiums in India.