The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president, Venkatesh Prasad, has secured conditional permission from the government to host Indian Premier League (IPL) and international cricket matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Prasad has urged the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to play all its IPL 2026 matches at the iconic stadium, amid speculation that RCB may consider playing its home fixtures outside Karnataka.
Prasad emphasized that the KSCA has worked tirelessly to assure the government that the association will provide a safe experience for fans on match day, following a deadly stampede during RCB’s title-winning celebrations last year. The KSCA is working to implement all safety recommendations outlined in the government-appointed Michael D’Cunha Commission, with necessary work at the stadium set to be completed by the end of February.
Prasad highlighted that the IPL Governing Council has also encouraged RCB to compete at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, RCB has expressed appreciation for the ongoing infrastructure work at the stadium but noted that there are still some unresolved issues to address before making a decision on playing there.
RCB stated that they are considering input from stakeholders and evaluating certain parameters before arriving at a responsible decision for the team and fans. Prasad emphasized that RCB’s presence in Bengaluru has contributed to their growth, urging the team to engage with the government for the smooth conduct of matches. The ball is now in RCB’s court to decide on playing at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
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