RCB to shift IPL matches out of Chinnaswamy Stadium? Karnataka Deputy CM responds
Published - 11 Dec 2025, 01:23 PM
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the IPL 2026 season is still not confirmed. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said that the government does not plan to stop cricket at the stadium, but the final decision will come after the cabinet meeting on Thursday.
RCB secured their first IPL title in the 2025 edition, but the celebrations turned tragic when a massive crowd outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium caused a deadly stampede. 11 people lost their lives, and many were injured.
The incident raised serious safety concerns, leading to speculation about whether RCB would be allowed to play their 2026 home matches at the venue. Notably, the stadium also lost hosting rights for some matches of the 2025 Women’s World Cup.
No Intention of Stopping Cricket Matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium - D. K. Shivakumar
D. K. Shivakumar met with newly elected KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad to discuss the future of matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. After the meeting, Shivakumar said that the government has no plans to stop cricket at the venue.
The politician added that the recommendations made by the Michael D. Cunha committee will be implemented gradually, and Prasad has agreed to support the process.
“We have no intention of stopping cricket matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium, but we have to think of crowd control measures," he told reporters after the meeting.
“We will also have to incorporate Michael D. Cunha’s committee suggestions in a phased manner. Venkatesh Prasad has also agreed to it," he added.
Not Allow Any Matches, Including RCB, To Be Shifted Out of Bengaluru - D. K. Shivakumar
Shivakumar said that the government fully supports cricket in the state, adding that they want to back the sport and its fans without harming Bengaluru’s reputation. He assured that no matches, including IPL fixtures, would be moved out of the city and that the government will work closely with the association.
“The newly elected President of KSCA and his team met us today seeking government cooperation. We will not allow any matches, including IPL games, to be shifted out of Bengaluru. We have to work together on this," he said.
“Our government has also proposed building new stadiums. I wish Venkatesh Prasad and his team, who are supported by Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble, all the best," he added.
Chinnaswamy Stadium’s Future Hinges on Major Safety Upgrades
The future of hosting matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium depends on meeting strict safety standards after serious concerns were raised about its structure and location.
A judicial commission led by retired judge John Michael D’Cunha, formed after the tragic stampede, concluded that the stadium’s design and its congested surroundings make it unsafe for large crowds.
The report advised that major events should not return to the venue until improvements are made, warning that hosting big matches without these upgrades would pose unacceptable risks to public safety, traffic flow, and emergency response.
“Until such infrastructural changes are made, continuing to host high-attendance events at the current location poses unacceptable risks to public safety, urban mobility and emergency preparedness,” the commission wrote.
Also read: 3 IPL Teams That Could Transform Overnight After Auction
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Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
