Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 Future Uncertain Amid Stadium Safety Probe

Bengaluru’s participation in IPL 2026 as a host city is now in doubt due to safety concerns surrounding the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) has officially requested a comprehensive structural fitness test, overseen by NABL-accredited professionals, before any IPL matches can be approved. This directive follows a devastating stampede during an event celebrating RCB’s success, which tragically claimed lives and highlighted significant inadequacies in safety protocols. An investigative panel later deemed the stadium “fundamentally unsafe” for large gatherings, citing critical failures in emergency systems and crowd control. As a consequence, Bengaluru was stripped of its hosting rights for several major international tournaments, including Women’s World Cup fixtures, the WPL, and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. This situation directly impacts Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), whose home matches have historically been played at Chinnaswamy. The franchise is reportedly considering shifting its base to Pune’s MCA Stadium if the venue cannot pass the stringent safety checks. Although a new, modern stadium is under construction in Anekal, its completion is not expected until after IPL 2026. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) faces the urgent task of demonstrating the stadium’s safety to secure its place in the IPL 2026 calendar.