Chinnaswamy Stadium Cleared to Host IPL and International Matches After Safety Overhaul

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M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru set to host IPL and international cricket matches after government safety approval.


After months of uncertainty surrounding its future, Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium has received the Karnataka government’s approval to host IPL and international cricket matches. The clearance comes “subject to compliance with specific terms and conditions” laid down by the government and concerned authorities, marking a significant step toward restoring top-flight cricket at one of India’s most famous venues.

The stadium had been mothballed since June last year after a tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title celebrations claimed 11 lives. The incident raised serious questions about crowd management, safety infrastructure, and emergency preparedness, prompting the state government to halt major events at the venue.



KSCA’s Roadmap for Safety and Compliance

Since the tragedy, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has been working to regain official trust and ensure such an incident is never repeated. Under its new president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, the association prepared a detailed compliance roadmap addressing safety, security, and crowd control concerns.

This roadmap was placed before an Expert Review Committee constituted by the Karnataka home ministry. Following deliberations, the committee granted approval in principle, acknowledging KSCA’s commitment to implement all prescribed measures. In a press release, the association reiterated that it is “fully committed to implementing all safety, security and crowd management measures in letter and spirit.”

Infrastructure Fixes and Fire Safety Measures

One of the key hurdles for the KSCA was resolving a long-standing power supply and fire safety compliance issue with BESCOM, Bengaluru’s electricity regulatory authority. That issue has now been addressed, clearing an important regulatory bottleneck.

In addition, tenders have reportedly been floated for several remedial infrastructure measures. These include widening entry and exit gates around the stadium to ease congestion and enable faster evacuation if required. Such upgrades are central to meeting modern safety norms, especially for a high-capacity venue located in the heart of a busy city.

RCB’s Home Matches Still Not Confirmed

While the government nod is a major boost, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s return to Chinnaswamy Stadium for the upcoming IPL season is still not guaranteed. Defending champions RCB are scheduled to play the tournament opener, with the IPL set to begin on March 26. However, the BCCI is yet to announce the full schedule or confirm the venue for the opening match.

This delay stems from the need for official confirmation from RCB regarding their home ground. KSCA’s biggest challenge is ensuring that all safety upgrades and compliance requirements are completed within the next few weeks — a tight timeline given the scale of changes required.

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