Chinnaswamy gets the Karnataka government clearance to host IPL 2026 matches
The Karnataka government has formally granted approval for the Indian Premier League (IPL) to return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, clearing the path for Bengaluru to host the opening match of the 2026 season. The decision, taken during a state cabinet meeting on Thursday, brings an end to prolonged uncertainty surrounding the venue’s readiness and operational clearances. It also significantly strengthens the possibility of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru launching their title defence in front of their home supporters. The clearance follows multiple rounds of discussions involving state officials, representatives of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and members of the RCB management.
Chinnaswamy gets the clearance to host IPL 2026 opener
Over recent months, efforts have been focused on ensuring the stadium meets all necessary infrastructure, safety, and compliance standards ahead of the high-profile tournament. KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad confirmed that the majority of the renovation and upgrade work initiated earlier in the year is close to completion. He stated that only minor finishing touches remain and expressed optimism that the remaining tasks will be finalised by the end of February. With the IPL 2026 season scheduled to commence on March 26, the timeline appears comfortably on track, paving the way for a grand opening in Bengaluru.
The government’s approval, however, comes with stringent conditions tied to enhanced safety compliance. The decision follows the tragic stampede outside the stadium on June 4 last year, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations. In the aftermath of the incident, a high-level inquiry committee led by Justice John Michael D’Cunha conducted a thorough review and submitted a comprehensive report outlining 17 corrective measures aimed at strengthening crowd management protocols and overall safety standards at the venue.
These recommendations have been categorised into immediate and long-term actions to ensure both urgent risks and structural concerns are addressed systematically. According to reports, the state home department has set a March 15 deadline for implementing all short-term measures. Among the key upgrades are the widening and addition of entry and exit gates to ease congestion, clearly designated emergency routes for ambulances and rapid response teams, and improved crowd dispersal pathways to prevent bottlenecks. The plan also prioritises enhanced accessibility, including ramps and facilities for differently-abled spectators. In addition, stricter ticketing controls and tighter regulation of fan movement form part of the revised operational framework to ensure safer match-day experiences.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar emphasised that although the state government is committed to promoting cricket and supporting major sporting events, public safety will remain non-negotiable. He reiterated that the clearance granted to host IPL matches comes with clearly defined responsibilities, and a formal government order outlining the specific conditions is expected to be issued soon. The document will detail the obligations of the Karnataka State Cricket Association and the event organisers to ensure full compliance with the revised safety framework.
The decision also brings clarity to the uncertainty that had surrounded Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s home venue for IPL 2026. Over the past few weeks, the franchise had reportedly examined alternative options, including the possibility of hosting matches outside Karnataka, in case approvals were delayed. However, with the government expressing satisfaction over the progress made at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, signs now point toward RCB returning to their traditional home ground.
Under standard IPL protocol, the defending champions are awarded the honour of hosting the season opener and, subject to logistical approval, also stage Qualifier 2 and the final. With the stadium back in the mix, Bengaluru appears set to regain its central position in the tournament schedule. The BCCI is expected to release the official fixtures soon, with an announcement from RCB anticipated shortly thereafter.
