Overview:
The KSCA, under the leadership of former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, was in touch with state agencies to implement requirements.
The Karnataka government has cleared the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to host matches in the Indian Premier League 2026. A committee presented a report on safety and other measures during a meeting chaired by Home Minister G. Parameshwara at the Vidhana Soudha.
The iconic venue will host five home matches of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Known for his batting friendly wickets and electric atmosphere, the stadium is likely to be jam-packed for RCB as they look to defend their title in front of their fans.
The venue will also host the final of the 19th season and the opening ceremony. RCB will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28. The stadium was deemed unfit after a stampede claimed 11 lives during the team’s title celebration last year.
The Bengaluru-based franchise will play two home contests at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur. One of the playoffs is also expected to be held in Bengaluru. Karnataka State Cricket Association has implemented several changes on the recommendations of the Justice Cunha report.
The stadium gates would be opened three to four hours before a match. There would be separate queues for women and children. The capacity cap of 35,000 spectators would be followed to manage the crowd inside the stadium.
Ticket holders will get free metro rides to ease traffic congestion. Better coordination would be established between multiple departments for a smooth emergency response.
The state cricket association thanked Home Minister Parameshwara for giving the final approval. The officials also expressed gratitude to expert committee chairman G. M. Maheshwar Rao and member secretary Sreemant Kumar Singh for reviewing the changes carried out by KSCA.
The cricket body also acknowledged the efforts of the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar. The KSCA, under the leadership of former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, was in touch with state agencies to implement requirements.
The venue was not allotted matches during the Women’s ODI World Cup and the Men’s T20 World Cup.