Upcoming matches of the Indian Premier League at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium have cast doubt into uncertainty after Karnataka state authorities put all future fixtures on hold. The state has ordered the Public Works Department to ask for a "comprehensive structural fitness test" before the stadium is cleared to host IPL 2026.
This new rule has presented a major challenge for the Karnataka State Cricket Association, which must meet strict technical conditions before the venue can reopen for big cricket events.
Government Orders Structural Test
According to the PWD notice, the KSCA has to submit a complete report on structural safety prepared only by experts accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. That means the stadium cannot rely on its own engineering team or routine checks; it must undergo an external test that meets the national standards of safety.
For several decades, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has formed a bigger cricket hub right in the heart of Bengaluru, sitting on 17 acres of PWD-leased land. But all eyes are focused now on whether it's safe to handle large crowds.
Top officials have said that unless independent experts clear the spectator stands and the main structure, permission to hold IPL matches will not be given at the stadium, however important and historic it may be.
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Why the Stadium Was Banned
The stern move comes after a tragic incident earlier this year. The venue has not held any match since a stampede in June that took “the lives of 11 people.” Close to 50 others sustained injuries during the event held to honour Royal Challengers Bengaluru after their first IPL title win.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the government suspended all further matches at the stadium and launched a review of the safety rules for events with large crowds. That process has now led to stronger regulations and the demand for a full structural review. With IPL 2026 drawing closer, KSCA now has to fulfill all the state's requirements for the matches to return.
Reports, however, say that the franchise has already started seeking alternative venues for the next season. Even if the stadium gets clearance at the last minute, too, it is likely to be granted permission to operate only at 50 percent capacity.
