The Karnataka government has formally approved M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to host Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s home matches in IPL 2026, including the season opener on March 28.
The clearance followed a crucial meeting chaired by Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwar, where the Expert Committee, KSCA, RCB, and event managers reviewed safety and compliance measures. The approval comes after months of uncertainty following the tragic stampede during RCB’s maiden title celebrations.
RCB will play five of its seven home games at the iconic stadium, including the opening clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Two additional home fixtures will be staged at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium. The stadium is also set to host the RCB Unboxing event and the IPL 2026 opening ceremony.
KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya expressed gratitude to the Home Minister and Bengaluru Police Commissioner Sreemant Kumar Singh for their proactive coordination. He noted that the Expert Committee’s detailed assessment ensured all safety, security, and operational aspects were comprehensively addressed.
The 19th edition of the IPL begins on March 28, with defending champions RCB facing SRH in front of their home crowd. The approval marks a significant step in restoring confidence after last year’s incident and ensures fans can safely enjoy cricket at one of India’s most celebrated venues.
