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Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium gets government nod to host IPL, international matches

The Karnataka state cricket association announced on Saturday, January 17 that they have got the clearance to host IPL and international games at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

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Chinnaswamy stadium
Chinnaswamy will get the chance to host IPL games (Courtesy: PTI)
India Today Sports Desk
India Today Sports Desk
New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 21, 2026 12:28 IST
Written By: Alan Jose John

The Chinnaswamy stadium has been given clearance to host the IPL and international matches from the Karnataka government on Saturday, January 17. The Karnataka State Cricket Association revealed the news via a press note that the green signal has come from the state government to host big matches at the venue.

The KSCA revealed that they have been given the permission to bring back cricket to the iconic ground only after showing compliance to specific terms and conditions prescribed by the government. The cricketing body also said that they have given a detailed roadmap to the expert review committee and will be implementing the safety, security and crowd management measures.

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"We are pleased to inform you that the Home Department, Government of Karnataka, has granted permission to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host international and IPL matches at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru."

"The permission is subject to compliance with specific terms and conditions prescribed by the Government and the concerned Authorities."

"KSCA is confident of fulfilling all the stipulated conditions. The Association has already presented a detailed compliance roadmap before the Expert Review Committee and remains fully committed to implementing all safety, security, and crowd-management measures in letter and spirit," read the statement from KSCA.

The hosting of Indian Premier League 2026 matches at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium was uncertain after the state government ordered a thorough structural safety assessment before clearing the venue.

The Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) had formally asked the KSCA to submit a comprehensive structural fitness report for the stadium. The evaluation had to be carried out by professionals accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), ensuring the inspection adheres to strict technical and safety standards.

The venue was required to prove that its stands and overall infrastructure are capable of safely handling large spectator numbers. The government has clarified that IPL matches will only be allowed at Chinnaswamy in 2026 once independent experts formally certify the stadium’s structural safety.

HOW CHINNASWAMY LOST HOSTING RIGHTS

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has not hosted a single match since the tragic stampede in June that resulted in 11 fatalities. Nearly 50 others were injured during a felicitation event held to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title triumph.

About a month later, an independent panel headed by Justice John Michael D’Cunha concluded that the stadium was not fit to host large-scale gatherings. The commission’s report issued a stern caution, stating that allowing major events to continue at the venue could pose a serious risk to public safety.

The report stated that the stadium is ill-equipped to handle large crowds and warned that hosting major events there carries “unacceptable risks,” particularly in terms of crowd management, emergency preparedness, and traffic regulation across the city.

Following the findings, the Indian cricket board withdrew Bengaluru’s hosting rights for the Women’s ODI World Cup and reassigned the matches to DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The city was originally scheduled to host several key fixtures, including the final. In addition, Bengaluru was also excluded from hosting any matches in the men’s T20 World Cup, slated to take place in February and March 2026.

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has served as the home ground of Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the inception of the Indian Premier League and is widely regarded as one of the most fan-friendly venues in Indian cricket.

- Ends
Published By:
alan john
Published On:
Jan 17, 2026 19:25 IST