Big Boost for RCB: M Chinnaswamy cleared to host IPL 2026 matches - Reports
(Courtesy : BCCI)
Chinnaswamy Stadium is also expected to host Delhi’s matches in Vijay Hazare Trophy and on track to host RCB’s games in IPL 2026.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have a piece of good news as their home venue M Chinnaswamy Stadium is on track to host games in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. As per a report by ESPN Cricinfo, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has got clearance from the Karnataka Government to host matches at the stadium.
KSCA’s new President Venkatesh Prasad conducted a meeting with the state government recently, where he received a go-ahead to bring cricket back to the stadium. Hence, the Chinnaswamy Stadium is also set to host the upcoming games of Delhi in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 followed by the IPL 2026.
Since Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are also part of Delhi squad in the domestic one-day tournament, they will be featuring in the Bengaluru stadium in the first three games. The venue was halted from hosting games following a deadly stampede on June 4 after RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations.
Over 10 people died and over 50 were injured in the incident. As a result, the stadium could not get permission to host matches of ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 last month, with Navi Mumbai replacing it as one of the venues. However, KSCA President Prasad, before elections, promised that his first agenda after taking over office would be to bring back cricket at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Chinnaswamy Stadium on track to host cricket matches once again- Reports
In a chat with ESPNCricinfo, Karnataka’s deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar revealed that they have given permission to KSCA to host matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, necessary steps should be taken to improve its infrastructure, as recommended by the Justice Michael D’Cunha Committee.
“To avoid any future incidents, we have put in place precautionary measures. We have granted permission accordingly. The Home Minister will hold discussions with the KSCA president and police officials,” he said after the state cabinet meeting on Friday.
“We have no intention of stopping cricket matches. But crowd-management measures need to be examined. We also intend to implement the recommendations of the Justice Michael D’Cunha Committee in a phased manner. Venkatesh Prasad too has agreed to this,” he added.
A KSCA office bearer also informed that the venue is on track to host IPL 2026 matches. “We’re on track for the IPL to be back,” he was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
The KSCA has accepted the State Government’s demands to make as many changes to the stadium as recommended by the D’Cunha committee. They are expected to begin work in a phased manner. Earlier, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) were in talks with the RCB management to host their home games in IPL 2026 at MCA Stadium in Pune.
Why was Chinnaswamy Stadium banned from hosting cricket matches?
Chinnaswamy Stadium was banned from hosting cricket matches due to a deadly stampede following RCB’s victory celebrations on June 4.
Virat Kohli is part of which team in domestic cricket?
Virat Kohli is part of Delhi team in domestic cricket.
When will Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 start?
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 will commence on December 24.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.