The uncertainty stems from the tragic events of June 4, 2025, when celebrations following RCB’s maiden IPL title win ended in a stampede outside the stadium, killing 11 people and injuring more than 50. In the aftermath, cricket matches at the venue were suspended. The Karnataka government formed an inquiry committee headed by Justice John Michael Cunha, which made several security recommendations. Subsequently, another panel, headed by Greater Bengaluru Authority Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao, was tasked with assessing compliance.
While Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil recently announced that the Cabinet had decided to allow IPL matches at the venue, the approval comes with conditions. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been asked to issue special orders detailing compliance requirements for the KSCA and RCB. One of the key conditions is to widen the stadium gates and access points to improve crowd management and public safety.
The KSCA has confirmed that extensive infrastructure and safety improvement works are taking place. On the advice of experts, various spectator gates and access points are being dismantled and widened. According to officials, the work is progressing on schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of the month. However, the franchise appears to be seeking unconditional approval rather than conditional approval, given the sensitivities surrounding last year’s tragedy.
Meanwhile, RCB has reportedly conducted a reconnaissance in Raipur and is exploring the possibility of shifting matches to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium. The delay in confirming Bengaluru as the venue has also contributed to the wider postponement of the IPL 2026 schedule announcement. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is awaiting the dates of assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala before finalizing the matches. Traditionally, the IPL calendar is aligned with the election schedules to ensure adequate security deployment.
A similar situation has occurred in Jaipur, where the Rajasthan Royals have sought formal compensation from the state government before being allowed to host matches at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. In a note to the BCCI and the government, the franchise requested protection from liabilities arising out of structural, life safety, electrical or public safety failures that were beyond their operational control. Reports suggest that RR could play four of their seven home matches in Jaipur after government intervention.
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