Intro
Government approval follows safety review ahead of RCB–SRH clash on March 28
Bengaluru
The Karnataka government has granted formal approval for the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to host matches of the 2026 Indian Premier League season, clearing the way for the tournament opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28.
The approval came after the state government reviewed safety, infrastructure and operational arrangements at the venue following an inspection by an expert committee. The committee, led by Greater Bengaluru Authority chief commissioner Maheshwar Rao, assessed the preparedness of the stadium and the measures taken to ensure smooth conduct of matches.
According to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the decision was taken after the expert panel submitted its recommendations to the state authorities. KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya confirmed that the Home Minister approved the hosting of IPL matches after reviewing the committee’s findings and the arrangements made at the venue.
The association also expressed gratitude to members of the expert committee and officials involved in the evaluation process. It thanked Maheshwar Rao for overseeing the review of infrastructure readiness and Commissioner of Police Sreemant Kumar Singh, who served as member secretary of the panel, for coordinating safety and security assessments.
The clearance comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the stadium’s readiness. The venue had remained under scrutiny since a tragic stampede during the victory parade celebrating Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title in June last year claimed 11 lives and left several others injured. Following the incident, a one-man commission led by retired judge Michael D’Cunha highlighted safety concerns and recommended structural and operational improvements at the stadium.
Subsequently, the KSCA initiated several upgrades, including increasing the number of entry and exit gates and strengthening crowd management systems. After former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad assumed office as KSCA president later in the year, the association accelerated renovation and compliance works.
Earlier this year, the stadium received conditional approval to host international and IPL matches, though authorities had sought further improvements. After additional inspections and discussions, the expert committee has now cleared the venue, allowing Bengaluru’s premier cricket ground to once again stage top-level cricket.