Karnataka Cabinet Approves Resumption of IPL Matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium
The Karnataka cabinet has given the green light for the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to resume at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This decision comes after the league was put on hold following a tragic stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL title celebrations last June, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives.
The approval was based on insights from the Justice Cunha report, which provided a series of recommendations focused on enhancing safety for spectators at the stadium. Officials from the state government have indicated that the matches can only proceed if these safety guidelines are strictly followed.
Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed the cabinet’s decision, emphasizing that the maximum crowd capacity has been capped to 35,000. “We’ve agreed to allow the KSCA and RCB to hold IPL matches, provided they adhere to the recommendations outlined in the report,” he stated.
Earlier, a crucial meeting took place at Vidhana Soudha led by Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwar. Senior officials from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and police were also present to discuss the necessary measures to ensure a successful and secure event.
Safety Measures Underlined
Elaborating on the cabinet’s ruling, Dr. Parameshwar mentioned that while the implementation of all recommendations wasn’t complete, substantial progress had been made. “The report has immediate, medium, and long-term recommendations. We’ve accepted those commitments to ensure matches can proceed safely,” he explained.
A committee has been formed to oversee these safety measures, comprising the GBA Chief Commissioner, Police Commissioner, and representatives from various departments. “They have confirmed that matches can be safely conducted under the new measures,” he added.
Commitment to Safety
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar highlighted that complying with safety regulations is non-negotiable. “In the interest of youth and the cricketing community, we have allowed future matches to take place in Bengaluru,” he stated firmly, stressing the importance of not overselling tickets beyond the seating capacity and actively implementing all recommendations from the report.
Describing the decision as “great news for cricket enthusiasts,” Shivakumar expressed regret over the previous loss of life and added, “We must be more mindful moving forward.”
With strict crowd limits set and multiple departments actively involved, cricket is primed to make a comeback to the Chinnaswamy Stadium with an increased focus on safety and responsibility.
This report was published by Amar Panicker on February 13, 2026.
