‘Will Bengaluru’s cricket fans get to watch RCB’s matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium?’ The aforesaid question is making the rounds ahead of the 2026 season of the IPL. There have even been reports that RCB’s home matches could be shifted over to other venues.
However, according to certain sources in the KSCA, they are still ‘confident’ of acquiring the necessary permission from the state government to host international and IPL games. The source said to Revsportz, “we are confident that we will get international matches. That means IPL can be staged as well”.
On their part, the RCB franchise have made a recommendation which could help in managing the crowd. “In a formal communication to the KSCA, RCB has proposed the installation of 300 to 350 AI-enabled cameras at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“This advanced surveillance technology will empower the KSCA and law enforcement agencies to efficiently manage crowd movement, ensure disciplined queueing, monitor unauthorised access through real-time tracking of entries and exits, and significantly enhance overall fan safety. RCB has further committed to bearing the entire one time cost of this initiative, estimated at approximately ₹4.5 crore,” the franchise said in a release.
In the aftermath of the tragic incident that took place outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in June last year, no cricket matches have been held at the stadium. Later on, Justice John Michael Cunha Commission’s report had noted, “The design and structure of the stadium was unsuitable and unsafe for mass gathering. Given these systemic limitations, (the commission) strongly recommends that stadium authorities consider relocating events that are expected to attract large crowds to venues that are better suited for such gatherings.”
It further stated: “Until such infrastructural changes are made, continuing to host high-attendance events at the current location poses unacceptable risks to public safety, urban mobility and emergency preparedness.”
At the fag end of last year, there were reports that a couple of Delhi’s Vijay Hazare Trophy games would be played at the Chinnaswamy stadium. However, they were shifted over to the Centre of Excellence at the last minute. Incidentally, Virat Kohli took part in both those games for Delhi.
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