Chinnaswamy Stadium confirmed to host IPL 2026; Karnataka government grants formal clearance

Chinnaswamy Stadium receives government clearance to host IPL 2026, following upgrades and improved security measures for fans.

The Karnataka government on Monday (March 16, 2026) officially cleared the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for hosting IPL 2026 matches. The government’s decision follows the multi-department expert committee submitting its assessment report, stating that the stadium has undergone satisfactory upgrades.

Now, with all decks cleared, the Chinnaswamy Stadium will witness its first major match after ten months of lull on March 28. The home team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will start their title-defending campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the season’s inaugural match.

However, before the inauguration, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) will conduct two mock drills on March 23 and 26 to ensure all security measures are in place, according to committee sources. The drills will mainly focus on ambulance movement.

After the upgrades, all entry points have been changed, with stricter protocols put in place to ensure smooth and systematic movement of the crowd into the stadium. The venue now has wider passages, an extra layer of gates, and an increased number of gates, according to committee members.

Fans will have to enter the first layer of gates, clear door frame metal detectors, and assemble in large holding areas. Subsequently, security checks and ticket verification will be conducted as fans pass through another layer of gates before finally entering the stands.

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