The Karnataka government-appointed Expert Committee has given the green light for IPL matches to be held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Home Minister G. Parameshwara has also approved the decision, clearing the decks for the upcoming matches.

Initially, approvals were conditional due to strict safety requirements set by the government following a tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s celebrations last year. The government had outlined specific targets that needed to be met to ensure spectator safety at the stadium.

Last week, the IPL authorities released the fixtures for the first phase of matches, scheduled from March 28 to April 12. However, the matches in Bengaluru were contingent on government approval.

A thorough inspection and mock drill were conducted on Friday to evaluate the stadium’s readiness. Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee, final clearance was granted on Monday for the matches to proceed.

The IPL opener between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad, along with one playoff match and the grand final, will now take place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Fans can look forward to exciting matches at the venue.

The announcement comes as a relief to cricket enthusiasts, as there were concerns about the matches being held in Bengaluru. With the necessary approvals in place, the stage is set for an action-packed IPL season at the iconic stadium.

Published on Mar 16, 2026

Follow Franchise Cricket for more IPL news.