Following the tragic stampede incident at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, which resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has affirmed that Indian Premier League (IPL) matches will not be shifted from Bengaluru. Shivakumar's statement aims to quell concerns regarding the stadium's safety and its future as a venue for major cricket events.
The stampede occurred during celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) maiden IPL title win, when a massive crowd gathered outside the stadium. The incident prompted immediate safety reviews and raised questions about the stadium's suitability for hosting large-scale events. The stadium has remained devoid of cricket matches since the tragic event, missing out on hosting matches for the Women's World Cup and Indian men's team fixtures.
Deputy CM Shivakumar, also a lifetime member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), addressed reporters after casting his vote in the KSCA elections, emphasizing the importance of the Chinnaswamy Stadium to the state. "Will not allow IPL matches to be shifted out of Chinnaswamy stadium," he stated, reinforcing the commitment to keep the IPL in Bengaluru. He acknowledged the lapses that led to the stampede and assured that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
To ensure the safety and structural integrity of the stadium, the state government has directed a comprehensive structural fitness test. The Public Works Department (PWD) has formally requested the KSCA to submit a detailed structural safety report prepared by certified experts. IPL matches will only be permitted at Chinnaswamy in 2026 once independent experts certify the stadium's structural fitness.
In addition to addressing the safety concerns at the existing stadium, Shivakumar announced plans to develop an alternative, larger stadium. "Along with this, we will also develop an alternative stadium, a large one," he stated. This initiative aims to provide a safer and more spacious venue for future events, reducing the risk of overcrowding and stampedes.
The Deputy CM stressed that future events at the Chinnaswamy Stadium would be conducted within a legal framework and with improved crowd management strategies. He highlighted the need to uphold the pride of Bengaluru while ensuring public safety. "We will conduct events in this KSCA stadium in a way that upholds the pride of Bengaluru. But we will do it properly, within the legal framework, and with better attention to crowd management while using this stadium," Shivakumar affirmed.
The state government has received a report from a judicial commission led by retired High Court Judge John Michael D'Cunha, which scrutinized the circumstances surrounding the stampede. The commission's report was critical of the stadium's design and its surroundings, suggesting that the location was unsuitable for large gatherings and that significant safety measures were necessary before major events could be held there. The report noted that the stadium's entry and exit gates open directly onto public footpaths, leaving inadequate space for crowd management.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium, built on 17 acres of PWD-leased land, must now demonstrate that its spectator galleries and overall structure are safe for accommodating large crowds. Shivakumar also expressed the government's commitment to providing opportunities for women's matches.
