Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is set to reopen for cricket matches after a tragic incident led to its closure for nearly a year. Following a stampede during RCB’s title celebrations in June 2025, which resulted in 11 deaths, authorities halted cricketing activities to review safety protocols and make structural upgrades. Now, a government-appointed expert committee has cleared the stadium to host IPL 2026 matches.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play 5 home matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and 2 matches in Raipur during the upcoming IPL season. The first fixtures in Bengaluru are scheduled for March 28 and April 5, 2026. Fans are encouraged to use public transport to reach the stadium, with the metro being the primary mode of access. Match tickets will include a metro pass for seamless travel.
A new digital ticket system has been introduced, accepting only QR code-based e-tickets. Entry gates and crowd movement plans have been revamped to avoid bottlenecks, with widened gates and specific entry points. Security measures have been significantly upgraded, with over 500 CCTV cameras installed, AI-enabled monitoring systems, ambulances on standby, and fully equipped medical centers inside the stadium.
With these improvements in place, fans can look forward to a safer and more organized experience when attending IPL matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2026.
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