The Karnataka cabinet has officially sanctioned the hosting of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, following recommendations from a government-appointed expert committee.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that the guidelines outlined in the Justice John Michael D'Cunha Report will be strictly followed, focusing on ticketing, crowd management, and stadium access.

Shivakumar shared on X, "This is great news for cricket enthusiasts in Bengaluru and Karnataka. The Cabinet has made a significant decision to allow IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium while prioritizing public safety. We will implement the recommendations from the Justice John Michael D'Cunha Report with a commitment to responsibility and accountability."

As a lifelong member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Shivakumar reiterated that ensuring public safety is of utmost importance.

Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed that the state cabinet has authorized the KSCA to host IPL matches at the renowned stadium, adhering to the Cunha report's recommendations, which include a maximum crowd limit of 35,000 and various safety protocols.

This decision came after a high-level meeting led by Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara at Vidhana Soudha, attended by senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath, State DGP MA Salim, and Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh.

KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad and other officials from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were also present. Prasad described the Cabinet's approval as "extremely positive" and expressed gratitude to the Home Minister for establishing the safety committee.

Cricket events at M Chinnaswamy Stadium have been on hold since June 2025, following a tragic stampede during RCB's IPL title celebration that resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries. Consequently, several major tournaments, including the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, were relocated due to safety issues.

With the Cabinet's approval, the responsibility now lies with RCB, the defending champions, to determine whether they will host their home games at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The franchise has suggested implementing AI-driven surveillance systems to enhance crowd management.

The IPL 2026 season is set to commence on March 26 and will conclude on May 31. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, as the reigning champions, aim to defend their title this season.