Last Updated:
The Karnataka government had banned matches with spectators on the venue following an unlucky stampede on June 4, 2025, wherein 11 people were killed and greater than 30 injured
M Chinnaswamy Stadium File image: X
The Karnataka government can have cleared the way in which for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to be held at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, however the games will probably be conducted under strict conditions, with tight security measures and detailed crowd management protocols in place to make sure safety of the fans and the players.
CNN-News18 has learnt exclusive details concerning the extensive arrangements planned inside and across the stadium, including strict crowd control protocols, emergency response mechanisms, holding areas for fans and coordination between multiple agencies.
Authorities have put in place what officials describe as a “well-planned mechanism” to administer crowds and ensure smooth entry and exit for spectators expected to attend the matches played within the stadium.
In accordance with officials involved within the preparations, only 28,000 spectators will probably be allowed contained in the stadium at a time. The utmost capability of Chinnaswamy Stadium is 35,000 and the buffer has been kept enabling the organising teams and the police to be stationed for higher coordination.
ALSO READ | Bengaluru Police Were Not In Favour Of RCB’s IPL Victory Event That Claimed 11 Lives | Exclusive
Organisers, including the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and event management firm DNA Entertainment Networks, have also been instructed to strictly regulate ticket sales.
“Eighty per cent of the tickets have to be sold online, while the remaining offline tickets can only be sold three days before the match,” a top source told CNN-News18.
“Accountability has been pinned on all of the stakeholders and organisers, as stricter protocols are available in the wake of the tragic stampede that occurred last 12 months following RCB’s maiden IPL title win.
During that incident, the stadium, which has a capability of around 35,000, saw an estimated 1.5 lakh people gather across the venue, resulting in severe overcrowding. Investigations later found that the large rush of fans when announcement was fabricated from free entry and tickets in addition to mismanagement at entry points triggered the stampede, with large crowds pushing through the stadium gates.
Officials say the brand new arrangements aim to make sure such a situation never recurs.
A significant element of the plan involves creating designated holding areas outside the stadium to cut back pressure at entry points. The gates themselves have been redesigned and widened, with 4 entry points at several locations in order that crowds may be distributed evenly as an alternative of converging at a single access point.
ALSO READ | Confusion, Chaos & Free Passes: What Unfolded Outside Bengaluru Stadium As RCB Celebrated Inside
Officials said the holding areas would help organisers safely guide spectators with valid tickets towards their respective entry gates and seating sections.
To further streamline the method, colour-coded tickets and seating zones will probably be introduced. “There will probably be color coding of the tickets and the seats will correspond to that color. People cannot cross over to a different gate if their ticket indicates a special color,” the source told CNN-News18.
“As an illustration, if someone has a yellow ticket, they will probably be directed only towards the gates marked yellow and seated in that zone. They can’t move to a different area. This helps each the ushers and the police quickly discover where spectators are situated and respond immediately if a situation arises,” the official explained.
One in all the important thing measures involves the usage of technology to watch crowd density on the stadium gates.
“There will probably be the usage of AI systems and warmth imaging to make sure that there isn’t any overcrowding at any of the gates. If congestion is detected, the holding areas will immediately be closed until people move safely into their designated seating areas,” said a senior official involved in the protection planning.
Emergency response mechanisms are also being strengthened. Authorities have created a dedicated green corridor from the stadium venue through one among the gates has been identified to make sure that ambulances, fire services and other emergency services to have priority access in and across the stadium area.
As well as, triage centres equipped with beds and medical facilities will probably be arrange to offer immediate medical assistance if required. “There will probably be 4 ambulances stationed contained in the stadium and one other 4 outside for quick medical aid. Nearby hospitals can even remain on standby,” the official said.
One other concern raised throughout the investigation into last 12 months’s stampede was the sudden surge of spectators arriving by metro.
Large numbers of fans had used the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) network to achieve the Cubbon Park Metro Station and nearby stations after RCB lifted their maiden IPL trophy following an 18-year wait.
Officials later said that the sudden spike in passenger numbers was only analysed after the incident had already occurred. “This time, BMRCL has been instructed to constantly share passenger numbers travelling towards the metro stations across the stadium,” an official said.
ALSO READ | Bent Railings, Scattered Shoes: Visuals Show Bengaluru’s Haunting Trail Of Deadly Stampede
The Bengaluru Metro has also agreed to extend the variety of coaches on match days and enhance the frequency of trains to make sure smooth movement of spectators arriving and leaving the venue.
Other than safety measures, the state government can also be planning to make use of the high-profile sporting event to advertise a social campaign. Officials said the federal government intends to push its anti-drug awareness drive throughout the matches.
“Every card held by fans contained in the stadium to cheer for his or her teams will carry the message ‘No to Drugs’. Top players can even record video messages that will probably be played contained in the stadium to spread awareness,” an official said.
The Karnataka government on Monday formally approved the conduct of the IPL matches on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, ending months of uncertainty after last 12 months’s tragedy. There was a serious fallout as well, when senior cops, a complete chain of command, from the then Bengaluru police commissioner to the inspector of the jurisdiction were suspended and an internal inquiry initiated against them for the stampede.
The approval for the IPLA matches got here after a gathering chaired by Home Minister G Parameshwara with an authority committee constituted by the state government, together with representatives from KSCA, RCB and DNA Entertainment. KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad and his team have been working tirelessly to make sure that the matches were brought back to the stadium with solid safety measures in place as Chinnaswamy Stadium has been an iconic venue for cricket of all formats.
“Throughout the meeting, the Expert Committee presented its report outlining the preparedness and compliance measures undertaken on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium,” KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya said in a press release.
“Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee and after reviewing the arrangements intimately, the Hon’ble Home Minister has formally accorded approval for the conduct of the upcoming IPL matches at the enduring stadium in Bengaluru,” the statement said.
The stadium will host the opening fixture of the IPL season in addition to the RCB Unboxing event and the tournament’s opening ceremony.
In accordance with the schedule, the nineteenth edition of the IPL will begin on March 28, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad within the opening match on the Bengaluru stadium.
RCB had earlier announced that five of their seven home matches can be played in Bengaluru, while two matches will probably be hosted on the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur.
The Karnataka government had temporarily banned sporting events with spectators on the venue following the unlucky stampede on June 4, 2025, wherein 11 people were killed and greater than 30 injured.
A judicial inquiry later found the RCB franchise, the Karnataka State Cricket Association and event management firm DNA Entertainment liable for the incident, describing their conduct as recklessness bordering on gross negligence in organising the celebrations.
After months of discussions, safety audits and the implementation of comprehensive crowd management measures, authorities have now cleared the stadium to host IPL matches again. Two mock drills can even to be conducted before the matches begin to make sure the protection protocols are in place and dealing in the most effective capability.
March 17, 2026, 09:11 IST
Read More