Karnataka Cabinet Clears RCB’s IPL 2026 Matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium

The Karnataka cabinet granted conditional approval to KSCA to host IPL and international matches at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the 2026 season.

The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday granted permission to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host Indian Premier League (IPL) and international matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With this decision, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to play their home matches at the iconic venue, although the final call will rest with the franchise.

“The cabinet agreed with certain conditions as per the Cunha report. He mentioned certain conditions in the report, including a maximum of 35,000 people, and others. Accordingly, we have taken the decision,” Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters on Thursday.

The approval comes with strict safety conditions following last year’s tragic incident outside the stadium. During RCB’s IPL victory celebrations, 11 people lost their lives in a stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium. More than 30 others were injured. The incident led to nationwide outrage. Since then, no matches have been held at the venue. Even the Women’s World Cup 2025 matches were shifted to the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

To investigate the incident and prevent similar occurrences, the Karnataka government formed a committee headed by retired High Court judge Justice John Michael Cunha. The committee submitted both short-term and long-term recommendations to improve crowd management and safety measures at the stadium.

Chinnaswamy Allowed, But Compliance Must

When the cabinet decision was announced, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar welcomed the move but stressed the need for strict compliance.

“In the interest of youth and the cricket world, the Karnataka government has granted permission to hold matches in Bengaluru. They should not sell more seats than are available. And they will have to implement safety measures. We have given permission with some conditions. This is very good news for all cricket lovers. I congratulate them all,” DK Shivakumar told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had said that the cabinet would take the final decision on whether matches could resume at the venue. Before the meeting, KSCA office bearers and RCB representatives met the minister to discuss the matter.

“We told them that if they want matches to take place, they must comply with the recommendations of the Justice John Michael Cunha Committee,” Parameshwara said, according to news agency PTI.

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Parameshwara confirmed that KSCA and RCB have already implemented some of the short-term measures suggested by the committee. He added that the state government formed a separate panel with officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner’s Office, and other departments to monitor the implementation of the Cunha Committee’s recommendations.

“We have received the report and examined its pros and cons. As the home minister, I was entrusted by the Cabinet with holding discussions with the stakeholders and briefing the ministers. I will place the matter before the Cabinet today, and a decision will be announced thereafter,” he said.