Government Nod for Chinnaswamy Stadium to Host IPL and International Matches

The Karnataka government has given the green light for M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to host IPL 2026 and international cricket matches, subject to specific safety and security conditions. This approval comes after a stampede during RCB's IPL 2025 title celebration in June 2025, which claimed 11 lives, led to the stadium being shut down. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has submitted a compliance roadmap to implement safety measures, including installing 300-350 AI-enabled cameras for crowd management, proposed by RCB at a cost of ₹4.5 crore. KSCA's primary challenge is to ensure all the new safety precautions are in place within the next few weeks. The IPL is set to begin on March 26, with RCB playing the opening game since they are the defending champions. However, the BCCI is yet to announce the tournament schedule or the venue of the season opener as they are awaiting an official confirmation from RCB. KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad is optimistic about fulfilling the stipulated conditions and is expected to hold a press conference soon to share further details. The stadium's spectator capacity will be decided after safety upgrades are completed and inspected by an expert committee.