KSCA Secures Approval for RCB IPL Matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has officially been given the green light by the state government to host Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. This decision comes after months of uncertainty following a tragic stampede at the stadium on June 4, 2025, which claimed the lives of 11 people and injured over 50 others during a victory parade celebrating RCB’s first IPL title win in Ahmedabad.

To ensure safety, a meeting was held in Bengaluru on March 13, 2026, involving KSCA officials, the Home Minister, and an Expert Committee. The committee inspected the stadium’s infrastructure and safety measures. Following this evaluation, the Home Minister gave his final approval for RCB to host matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium. This marks a significant step in restoring the venue as a viable location for major cricket events.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium had been inactive since the 2025 stampede. It was also excluded from hosting matches during the 2025 Women’s World Cup and the recently concluded T20 World Cup. However, KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad had promised to bring international cricket back to the stadium after his election in December 2025. The last time the stadium hosted an international match was in January 2024 when India played Afghanistan in a T20I.

RCB’s IPL 2026 campaign will kick off with their first home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, followed by matches against Chennai Super Kings on April 5. The team will also travel to Guwahati and Mumbai to face Rajasthan Royals on April 10 and Mumbai Indians on April 12, respectively. RCB is set to host five of their seven home matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium, with the remaining two scheduled in Raipur. This decision is a win for cricket fans in Bengaluru, who have eagerly awaited the return of big-ticket matches to their iconic stadium.