The Karnataka government has officially cleared the way for the Indian Premier League to return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, making way for Bengaluru to host the IPL 2026 season opener. The decision, taken by the state cabinet on Thursday, ends months of uncertainty over the venue’s status and boosts the chances of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru beginning their title defence at home.

The approval comes after a series of discussions between state authorities, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and RCB officials. KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad confirmed that most of the stadium-related upgrades initiated earlier this year are nearing completion.

He expressed confidence that the remaining work would be wrapped up by the end of February, comfortably ahead of the IPL’s scheduled start on March 26.

The clearance is subject to strict compliance with safety guidelines framed following the tragic stampede outside the stadium on June 4 last year, which claimed 11 lives during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations. Following the incident, a committee headed by Justice John Michael D’Cunha submitted a detailed report recommending 17 corrective measures to improve crowd management and overall safety standards at the venue.

These measures have been divided into immediate and long-term requirements. The state’s home department has reportedly set a March 15 deadline for the implementation of all short-term directives. Key upgrades include expansion of entry and exit gates, clearly marked emergency access routes for ambulances and response teams, better crowd dispersal corridors, and enhanced accessibility features such as ramps for differently-abled spectators.

Improved ticketing controls and stricter regulation of fan movement are also part of the revised operational blueprint.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that while the government is keen to support cricketing activities, public safety will remain the top priority. A formal order detailing the conditions attached to the approval is expected to be issued shortly, outlining the responsibilities of the KSCA and event organisers.

The development also settles speculation surrounding RCB’s home venue for IPL 2026. In recent weeks, the franchise had explored contingency plans, including the possibility of staging matches outside Karnataka. However, with the government now satisfied with the progress made at Chinnaswamy, indications strongly suggest that RCB will return to their traditional base.

As per league convention, the defending champions host the opening match of the season and are also entitled to stage Qualifier 2 and the final, subject to logistical clearance. With the stadium now back in contention, Bengaluru is poised to reclaim its place at the heart of the IPL calendar. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is yet to announce the official fixtures, largely due to earlier uncertainty around the venue. An official confirmation from RCB regarding their home schedule is anticipated in the coming days.