IPL 2026 in Bengaluru likely to get nod after stadium safety overhaul

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is likely to receive the green signal from the multi-departmental committee to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

This follows KSCA putting in place safety measures suggested by the one-man judicial inquiry commission of former High Court judge Michael Cunha, sources confirmed to The Hindu.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara is likely to make an announcement in this regard on Monday (March 16) after a meeting with the committee, when the final report will be submitted. The committee members say that matches will, in all likelihood, be played with full spectator capacity, though a negligible reduction in stand capacity can be expected.

No big ticket matches have been held in the stadium since June 4, 2025, when 11 fans died in a stampede during an Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebrations.

What changes

This time around, cricket fans visiting the stadium will see new safety protocols, as they will need to pass through two layers of gates in a systematic manner, with the stadium having undergone major structural modifications. Several no-entry points have been implemented, multiple holding areas have been created, and even the gate numbers have been changed, according to a committee source.

For years, congestion along Queen’s Road during matches has been a major concern. The committee appears to have found a solution: no spectator entry will be allowed from the gates along Queen’s Road.

“Our main focus is spectator safety, for which we designed a plan based on Mr. Cunha’s observations. This will require fans to unlearn several things, beginning with entry points,” the source said.

Walk through

The IPL is set to kick off on March 28, with defending champions and the home team RCB locking horns with neighbours Sunrisers Hyderabad in the inaugural match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Five RCB matches are scheduled to be played in Bengaluru during the 2026 edition.

In a sub-committee inspection held on March 3, it was observed that the KSCA was lagging behind, with only two suggestions implemented. However, during a mock walk-through conducted on Friday (March 13), the main committee headed by M. Maheshwar Rao of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) found that all the required works had nearly been completed, according to members.

“Several works have been completed, and some require finishing touches, needing seven to ten days for full completion. Once the works are done, two more drills will be conducted (scheduled for March 23 and 26), during which changes will be suggested if necessary,” a member said.

Entry points

The major change for fans will be the entry gates, as more gates have been added. Spectator entry will be limited to gates along Link Road and Cubbon Road, and the numbering of these gates has been changed.

Once the first point of entry is cleared, spectators will undergo frisking and safety checks and pass through a Metal Door Frame Detector ), after which they will be directed to a second gate. For instance, a person entering through Gate P will pass another safety gate called P-1. After crossing that, the spectator will be moved to a large holding area, from where they will proceed to the stands.

The committee has also asked the KSCA to print all conditions and changes on the tickets. The same information will be published online.

Remaining works

According to a committee member, in some places where changes were necessary but a final solution was difficult to implement, the panel suggested alternative arrangements. As a result, some mechanical structures have been installed temporarily. However, all of them have passed safety checks.

Meanwhile, the KSCA stated that a detailed presentation was made to the committee on all measures taken, while representatives of RCB and their associated operational agencies also presented their preparedness and operational plans .

“The discussions were constructive and positive, and all stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the matches can be conducted in a safe, well-regulated, and seamless manner,” KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya stated.

Published – March 13, 2026 09:43 pm IST