The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 matches are now officially cleared to take place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) on Monday received formal government approval, confirming that the tournament’s opening game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad will be held at RCB’s home ground on Saturday, March 28.
The announcement came after a meeting involving KSCA officials, Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar, and an expert committee that had assessed the stadium’s safety and infrastructure measures on March 13.
A KSCA statement said:
“A meeting was held at Vidhana Soudha under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Home Minister, with the Expert Committee and representatives of KSCA, RCB, and DNA. The committee presented a detailed report on the stadium’s preparedness and compliance measures.”
The release added:
“Based on the Expert Committee’s recommendations and after reviewing all arrangements, the Hon’ble Home Minister has formally approved the conduct of the upcoming IPL matches at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.”
Last week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had released the IPL 2026 schedule for the first 16 days, listing Bengaluru as a venue contingent upon approval from the expert committee.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium has not hosted competitive cricket since last year, when a stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations tragically claimed 11 lives outside the venue. Safety protocols were subsequently scrutinized. Upon his election as KSCA President, former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad pledged to restore cricket matches at the stadium.
RCB’s home matches:
RCB confirmed that it will play five of its seven home games at Chinnaswamy Stadium, with the remaining two matches scheduled in Raipur. (Agency)
