Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) could play their home games in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium after months of searching for a new venue ended, after the Karnataka government gave the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host matches at the stadium again.
The stadium has not hosted any competitive game of cricket since the fatal stampede at the venue during RCB's title celebrations. The ground has not hosted any international or even domestic game during the ongoing Indian domestic season. In fact, the incident led to the ground losing its right to host the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, where it was supposed to host the opening game, one semi-final, and the final.
Later, a probe was conducted by Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission, which called the stadium 'unsuitable and unsafe' to host matches and called for several changes.
"Today we decided to allow Indian Premier League matches to be played, but the Cabinet asked the Home Department to fix conditions through issuing special orders (for the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and RCB to fulfil them). The order may be issued in the next two days," Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told reporters.
"Good News for Cricket Lovers of Bengaluru & Karnataka. In the interest of the sport and its fans, the Cabinet today has taken an important decision to permit the conduct of IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium, while keeping public safety paramount. The recommendations of the Justice John Michael D’Cunha Report will be implemented, with strict adherence to norms on ticketing, crowd regulation, and stadium access. With responsibility and accountability, we move forward," Karnataka's deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
In the last few months, RCB have been searching for a new base to play home city. While it was reported that Navi Mumbai (5 games) and Raipur (2 games). However, it later emerged that the Mumbai Indians (MI) did not grant the defending champions a no-objection certificate (NOC) to play home games at the DY Patil Stadium.
However, a confirmation from RCB over their plans is still waiting. It also remains to be seen what the IPL governing council decide as the Chinnaswamy is slated to host the first match and final this year as the Rajat Patidar-led side won the title last season.
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