The Karnataka government has cleared the way for the Indian Premier League to return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Bengaluru is now likely to host the IPL 2026 season opener. The state cabinet took the decision on Thursday after months of uncertainty over the venue.
The move boosts the chances of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru starting their title defence at home. The approval followed several meetings between state authorities, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and RCB officials. KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad said most of the upgrade work at the stadium is close to completion. The remaining work is expected to finish by the end of February, ahead of the IPL start on March 26.
Safety measures mandatory after last year’s tragedy
The clearance comes with strict safety conditions. These were framed after the stampede outside the stadium on June 4 last year, which claimed 11 lives during RCB’s victory celebrations. A committee headed by Justice John Michael D’Cunha submitted a report suggesting 17 corrective steps.
The measures include both immediate and long-term changes. The state home department has set a March 15 deadline to complete all short-term requirements. The upgrades include wider entry and exit gates and clear emergency routes for ambulances and response teams. Crowd movement corridors will also be improved. Accessibility features such as ramps for differently-abled fans are being added. Ticketing checks and stricter control of fan movement will also be introduced.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said public safety will remain the top priority while supporting cricket events. A formal order explaining the conditions is expected soon.
The decision also ends speculation over RCB’s home venue. The franchise had earlier explored hosting matches outside Karnataka. With the government satisfied with progress, the team will likely return to its traditional base.
As per league tradition, defending champions host the opening match and may stage Qualifier 2 and the final, subject to clearance. The BCCI is yet to announce fixtures, but an official confirmation from RCB is expected soon.
ALSO READ RCB Look to Defend IPL Crown After Smart Buys at Auction, RCB Full Squad for IPL 2026
