The Karnataka government has approved M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to host IPL 2026 matches, providing major relief to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Karnataka State Cricket Association
(KSCA).
A tragic stampede occurred in June 2025 outside the stadium during RCB's IPL title victory celebrations, resulting in 11 deaths and multiple injuries, which led to the venue being deemed unsafe by the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission.
The cabinet discussed the issue extensively and granted permission on December 11, 2025, with strict mandates to implement all safety recommendations from the Cunha Commission, including enhanced crowd management protocols. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who met new KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad beforehand, emphasized that cricket would not be shifted out of Bengaluru, framing it as a matter of state pride. He assured, "We have no intention of stopping cricket matches, but crowd management needs regulation. "
Implications for RCB and IPL 2026
RCB fans can anticipate home games returning to the iconic 38,000-capacity venue, avoiding contingency plans like shifting to Pune's MCA Stadium, which had been rumored due to prior uncertainties. KSCA now aims to lobby the BCCI for additional fixtures, potentially including a few pre-IPL games, while the government explores a new 80,000-seat mega stadium in Anekal to address long-term capacity issues. This development ensures continuity for IPL 2026, with Shivakumar confirming no matches would relocate elsewhere.
RCB won their maiden IPL title in 2025 and the following stampede issue put a huge dent in the celebrations. If the IPL returns to the Chinnaswamy in 2026, both the franchise and the government will have to ensure proper measures for crowd safety, so that nothing of the sort repeats in the future. As they embark on the IPL 2026, the immediate focus shifts to the IPL 2026 auction, which is set to take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.
