Bengaluru police edge closer to conditional nod for matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium

Police are set to give conditional approval for matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium after safety upgrades and talks with KSCA, clearing the way for cricket’s return

Cricket’s return to Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium has moved a step closer, with city police indicating that conditional permission for hosting matches is on the cards. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is expected to receive a formal nod once it meets stringent safety and crowd-management requirements prescribed by the authorities.

​Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh on Tuesday led a high-level review meeting at the KSCA offices to assess the stadium’s readiness. Central Division DCP Akshay, KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad and senior officials from the police, public works and the association examined ongoing upgrade works and compliance with new safety norms.

​The move comes in the shadow of the June 2025 stampede outside the stadium, where celebrations following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL triumph turned tragic, claiming 11 lives and injuring several others. A judicial inquiry headed by Justice Michael D Cunha flagged serious shortcomings in stadium design, emergency planning and crowd flow, prompting the government to tighten clearances for major events at Chinnaswamy.

Also Read:From South Block to ‘Seva Teerth’: PMO set for historic shift under Central Vista project

​In recent weeks, Prasad has held a series of meetings with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Home Minister and senior police officials, pressing the case for allowing cricket to resume under enhanced safeguards. The KSCA has assured the government that it will implement recommendations in a time-bound manner so that top-tier domestic and IPL fixtures can return to the venue.

​As part of the redesign, wider entry and exit gates are being constructed to create clear access for ambulances and fire tenders, while internal circulation areas are being reworked to ease crowd movement. Firefighting systems are being upgraded, and parallel efforts are under way to secure mandatory approvals from the fire and emergency services department. With these works progressing, officials say a conditional green signal from the Bengaluru City Police is likely soon, raising hopes among local fans that big-ticket cricket will once again light up the Chinnaswamy stands.

Also Read: ‘We Are Not Fighting...’: Jana Nayagan producer seeks early clearance as censor row delays release