Defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have addressed questions over hosting their 2026 home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, weeks after Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad urged the franchise to take the lead in resuming games at the venue.
The stadium had received a conditional green light from the Karnataka government for international and IPL matches, months after a tragic stampede during RCB’s title celebrations in 2025 claimed 11 lives. Prasad had stressed the importance of RCB expediting the process so that KSCA could obtain unconditional clearance from the BCCI.
In an official statement issued on Wednesday, RCB welcomed the government’s decision and expressed appreciation for KSCA’s ongoing infrastructure efforts. However, the franchise clarified that while playing in front of their home crowd remains a priority, “a few grey areas” still need to be addressed to ensure the safety and security of fans.
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“We welcome the Karnataka Government's decision to allow matches at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and highly appreciate the KSCA’s efforts in the ongoing infrastructure work that has led to this conditional approval,” the statement said. “While our desire is always to play at our home ground in front of our ardent fans, we are committed to fully understanding the conditions applicable to hosting matches here and the measures taken to ensure fans' safety protocols are met. Our goal is to determine how all stakeholders can best work together.”
The statement reiterated RCB’s fans-first approach, underlining the franchise’s commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience. “From our preliminary conversations, there remain a few grey areas that need to be addressed; we are considering these parameters and inputs from all stakeholders before arriving at a responsible decision for the team and our fans,” the release added.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium, one of India’s premier cricket venues, has been deprived of live matches since June 4, 2025, when the stampede marred RCB’s celebrations following their championship win. The tragic incident prompted reviews of crowd management, safety protocols, and stadium infrastructure, delaying the resumption of matches.
RCB’s cautious stance reflects a broader concern across Indian sports over spectator safety after incidents of overcrowding and mismanagement in large-scale events. With the IPL 2026 season approaching, both the franchise and the KSCA are working to ensure compliance with safety measures while giving fans the opportunity to return to the stands.
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