Bengaluru, Mar 17: The Karnataka government has granted approval to the Karnataka State Cricket Association and Royal Challengers Bengaluru to host matches of the 2026 Indian Premier League at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, months after a deadly stampede during RCB’s maiden title victory celebrations.
The stampede, which occurred outside the stadium amid massive fan turnout, resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, raising serious concerns over crowd management and safety protocols.
The upcoming IPL season will begin on March 28, with defending champions RCB set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match at the Bengaluru venue.
The clearance follows a review meeting chaired by Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, where an expert committee confirmed that enhanced safety and compliance measures have now been put in place.
Officials said the decision comes after ensuring stricter crowd control systems, improved emergency response mechanisms, and overall preparedness to prevent a repeat of the earlier tragedy.