Karnataka government greenlights IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium
Karnataka Cabinet Approves IPL’s Return to Chinnaswamy
IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium, The Karnataka cabinet has officially sanctioned the hosting of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, following a recommendation from a government-appointed expert committee. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that the guidelines outlined in the Justice John Michael D’Cunha Report will be strictly followed, focusing on ticketing, crowd management, and stadium access.
Public Safety is a Priority
IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Shivakumar expressed his enthusiasm for the decision, stating, “This is great news for cricket enthusiasts in Bengaluru and Karnataka. The Cabinet has made a significant choice to allow IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium while prioritizing public safety. We will implement the D’Cunha Report’s recommendations with utmost responsibility and accountability,” he shared on X.
As a lifetime member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Shivakumar reiterated that ensuring public safety remains the foremost concern.
Safety Protocols Based on D’Cunha Report
On Thursday, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed that the state cabinet had authorized the KSCA to host IPL matches at the historic stadium, adhering to the D’Cunha report’s recommendations, which include a maximum crowd limit of 35,000 and various safety protocols.
IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium, This decision was made during a high-level meeting led by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara at Vidhana Soudha, attended by senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath, State DGP MA Salim, and Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh. KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad and other officials from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were also present.
Prasad described the Cabinet’s approval as “extremely positive” and expressed gratitude to the Home Minister for establishing the safety committee.
Stadium Reopens After 2025 Suspension, RCB’s Decision Pending
Cricket activities at M Chinnaswamy Stadium have been on hold since June 2025, following a tragic stampede during RCB’s IPL title celebration that resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries. Since then, major tournaments, including the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, were relocated due to safety concerns.
With the Cabinet’s approval, the responsibility now lies with RCB, the defending champions, to determine if they will host their home games at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The franchise has suggested implementing AI-enabled surveillance systems to enhance crowd management.
The IPL 2026 season is set to commence on March 26 and conclude on May 31, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru aiming to defend their title.
