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Massive boost for RCB; Karnataka deputy CM clears Chinnaswamy stadium to host IPL

Debashis Sarangi

Karnataka deputy CM speaks on Chinnaswamy's IPL future [Source: AFP]Karnataka deputy CM speaks on Chinnaswamy's IPL future [Source: AFP]

In a major development, Karnataka's deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, has reiterated that the upcoming IPL matches won't be shifted from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium despite the infamous stampede incident following the 2025 season final. On Sunday, Shivakumar said the state government will ensure the IPL 2026 matches are held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium amid uncertainty over the venue's hosting rights. 

Karnataka deputy CM says IPL matches won't be moved out of Chinnaswamy Stadium

In the aftermath of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's maiden IPL win, a large number of people gathered outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to participate in a poorly planned victory parade. The lack of arrangement and lacklustre planning from the organisers led to a stampede that took the lives of at least eleven innocent people, with the Karnataka government eventually facing massive backlash for the ill-fated incident. 

As the matter escalated, the credentials of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to host IPL matches were questioned. In fact, several reports claimed that RCB's home matches might even be relocated from Bengaluru to Pune in the 2026 season. 

However, Karnataka's deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, on Sunday, clarified that the iconic venue's hosting rights would be preserved at any cost, and the state government would make the necessary arrangements to manage a large crowd, expected to turn up to watch the defending champions play in their backyard. 

"I'm a cricket lover. We will ensure that the accident in Karnataka does not happen again and hold cricket events at Chinnaswamy Stadium in a manner that upholds the honour of Bengaluru. We will not shift the IPL elsewhere and will continue to hold it here at Chinnaswamy Stadium. This is the pride of Bengaluru and Karnataka, which we will retain," Shivakumar was quoted as saying by TOI. 

Talking about RCB, the 2025 IPL champions retained most of their key players for the 2026 season. Led by Rajat Patidar, the Royal Challengers would be keen to utilise their remaining budget to fill the gaps through strategic signings at the upcoming auction.