BENGALURU — Cricket is coming back to the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. On Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Karnataka State Cabinet officially authorized the return of Indian Premier League (IPL) fixtures to the venue, reversing a suspension that had been in place since the tragic events of June 4 last year.
The stadium had been under a cloud of uncertainty after a massive stampede during RCB’s maiden title celebrations claimed 11 lives and injured over 70 people. The incident led to the venue’s blacklisting for the Women’s World Cup final and the men’s T20 World Cup in 2026. However, following a year of rigorous safety audits, the government has provided a “conditional nod” for the upcoming season.
1. The Justice D’Cunha & Rao Reports
The Cabinet’s decision was heavily influenced by two major investigations: the Justice John Michael D’Cunha Commission and the Maheshwara Rao Expert Committee.
- The Verdict: The D’Cunha report initially labeled the stadium “fundamentally unsafe” due to design flaws, narrow gates, and poor emergency exit protocols.
- Accountability: The report held the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and RCB management responsible for the 2024 tragedy, citing “hasty decisions” and “lack of preparation” during the victory parade.
- The Approval: After reviewing the progress on corrective measures, the Cabinet decided to allow matches, provided 17 strict safety conditions are met.
2. Strict New Safety Protocols
To ensure there is no repeat of last year’s chaos, the Home Department will enforce several non-negotiable guidelines:
3. RCB: The Defending Champions’ Return
The news is a massive boost for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, now led by captain Rajat Patidar.
- The Inaugural Match: As the defending champions of IPL 2025, RCB had been pushing for the right to host the season opener in Bengaluru.
- Alternative Venues: Before this clearance, the franchise had reportedly scouted the MCA Stadium in Pune as a possible secondary home ground.
- Organizational Liability: Home Minister G. Parameshwara made it clear that while the government is granting permission, the legal and civil liability for crowd safety rests solely with the KSCA and the RCB franchise.
4. Impact on Future Events
While the IPL has been cleared, the stadium’s status for future international matches remains under review. The Home Department is expected to issue a detailed “Special Order” within the next 48 hours, which will outline whether the clearance extends to the Men’s T20 World Cup matches later this year.