The uncertainty over Royal Challengers Bengaluru returning to their home ground M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru ensues, with just over a month left for the start of IPL 2026. No matches have taken place at the iconic venue after he Bengaluru stampede following RCB’s IPL 2025 title victory which saw 11 people dead and several injured. Now, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has provided an update on the situation and it looks like neither the Karnataka State Cricket Association or RCB are impressed with the ‘conditional permission’ granted by the state government.
RCB gets ‘conditional permission’ to return to Chinnaswamy
As per news agency ANI, minister Parameshwara stated that representatives from KSCA and RCB, including new KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad had met him on Monday to seek permission for the matches to be held at the Chinnaswamy stadium. He said that while a conditional permission has been granted, the KSCA and RCB wanted to deliberate on the topic and hence had been given time till Wednesday. The Karnataka Home Minister said that the BBMP commissioner, the Police commissioner, and the Law representatives have been called and that the decision on the matter would be taken on Wednesday after all the pros and cons are weighed.
“The IPL matches are approaching. KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad, spokesperson Vinay and RCB representatives met me. They asked me for permission, and we have given conditional permission. But they are saying this has to be discussed, so I gave them time until Wednesday. We are calling the BBMP commissioner, the Police commissioner, and the Law representatives. So on Wednesday, we will take a call. Discuss all pros and cons,” G Parameshwara said.
Earlier in January, reports stated that RCB is afraid of the new law enforced by the Karnataka government after the Bengaluru stampede. A BCCI source claimed that the law was as such that the team playing at the venue will be responsible for incidents (if any) in and around the roads leading to the venue. Reports also stated that RCB was willing to host some of their matches at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, for which they had to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Mumbai Indians and the Mumbai Cricket Association.
Renovation work at M Chinnaswamy Stadium
While KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad and his team are focused on bringing back cricket to the city, renovation works are underway the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, as per the recommendations of the Justice Cunha Committee. As per the Bangalore Mirror, the focus of the renovation is on widening entry and exit gates, improving internal movement corridors and installing globally accepted emergency evacuation systems. KSCA officials expect the work to be completed by February
