There is good news for the cricket fans in Bengaluru. IPL will return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium. There was a lot of ambiguity over the status of the official RCB venue in Bengaluru.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association has received permission from the Karnataka Government to host matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The opening match of IPL 2026 is scheduled to be played on March 28 at the stadium. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad will feature in the opening game.
KSCA secretary Santosh Menon talked to Cricbuzz to confirm this development. He also mentioned that an Expert Committee visited the stadium on March 13 for an inspection and mock demonstration. They were satisfied with the infrastructural changes at the venue. The committee also conveyed the same message to the Karnataka government. After this, the government gave permission to KSCA to hold IPL matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA also released a press release. Here is what it said. “We are pleased to inform that a meeting was held earlier today at Vidhana Soudha under the chairmanship of the Home Minister of Karnataka, Dr. G. Parameshwar, with the Expert Committee and representatives of KSCA, RCB, and DNA. During the meeting, the Expert Committee presented its report outlining the preparedness and compliance measures undertaken at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.”
“Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee and after reviewing the arrangements in detail, the Home Minister has formally accorded approval for the conduct of the upcoming IPL matches at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru,” added the release.
Relevant authorities, the KSCA, and the RCB team management had intense discussions regarding the conduct of high-attendance sporting events in the stadium. This came after a stampede occurred at the stadium during celebrations of RCB’s victory in June.
“The entire KSCA team, under the leadership of Venkatesh Prasad, has worked closely with the Home Minister, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, Expert Committee, Expert Sub-committee, other Ministers, senior State Government officials and all statutory authorities to ensure full compliance with the recommendations of the Expert Committee. This coordinated effort has played a significant role in bringing cricket back to the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, as committed to KSCA members and cricket fans.”
“KSCA looks forward to extending full cooperation and support to RCB in hosting the upcoming IPL matches in a safe, well-coordinated and professionally managed manner, ensuring a memorable experience for cricket lovers and the sporting community.”
Now with the government nod, the Chinnaswamy Stadium is set to host a few matches this season. The most important one is the opening match between RCB and SRH.
This year, the Bengaluru stadium will host five RCB matches and also one playoff game and the final.
