In a big blow to the Karnataka State Cricket Association, the M Chinnaswamy stadium will not host any matches in the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Bengaluru was set to host the tournament opener and a semi-final apart from three other games. The ODI World Cup is scheduled to begin from September 30 onwards.
Women’s Cricket WC matches to be moved out of Bengaluru
As per India Today, the Karnataka government has denied permission citing safety risks, as per India Today. The government cited the report submitted by the Justice Cunha committee which probed the Bengaluru stampede after RCB won IPL 2025. 11 people died and several were injured in the tragedy. Recently, the Maharaja Trophy matches were moved out of Bengaluru to Mysuru for the same reason.
Reacting to the incident, a KSCA official reportedly told the publication that their request was turned down even though they offered to host games without any spectators. Insidesport tried contacting KSCA officials for an official comment but received no response.
“Even our request to host matches without spectators was turned down,” a KSCA official said.
INDW vs SLW, ENGW vs SAW, INDW vs BANW and the semi-final were the clashes that were scheduled to be held in Bengaluru.
The commission’s report claimed that the Chinnaswamy stadium’s “design and structure” are inherently “unsuitable and unsafe” for mass gatherings. It stated that hosting any mass events in the future would be an unacceptable risk to public safety. In the aftermath of the Bengaluru stampede, the KSCA treasurer and secretary tendered their resignations on moral grounds.
It is pertinent to point out that Karnataka has no other international stadium apart from the Chinnaswamy. This means, the BCCI are now tasked with finding another venue in the last-minute. Apart from the Women’s Cricket World Cup, there are high chances that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will have to find a new home in IPL 2026.
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