Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar talked about shifting Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) matches from M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the IPL 2026 season. Shivakumar said that after the stampede, Chinnaswamy Stadium will host IPL games with better crowd management.
Concerns have grown over security at the venue since a tragic stampede at RCB’s victory celebrations in June left 11 people dead and dozens injured. The venue has not hosted a single match after the incident. Authorities had also considered moving IPL games away from the stadium in Bengaluru.
We will ensure that such incidents do not happen again – Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
After voting in the KSCA elections, DK Shivakumar said that the government is committed to prevent the recurrence of previous accidents in Bengaluru. He assured that in future the events at Chinnaswamy Stadium will be handled more responsibly.
“In future, whatever accidents happen in Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru, we will ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” Shivakumar said.
“Going forward, we will organize events at this KSCA stadium in a way that keeps Bengaluru proud. But we will do it right, within the legal framework, and by paying better attention to crowd management while using this stadium,” he said.
Will not allow IPL matches to be shifted out of Chinnaswamy Stadium.
This is a question of pride of Bengaluru and Karnataka. We will ensure that IPL matches are held here.
I am a cricket fan. We will ensure that such incidents do not recur in future and maintain the reputation of… https://t.co/RlaJDWVk5C
– DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) 7 December 2025
We will also develop an alternative stadium, a bigger one – DK Shivakumar
DK Shivakumar rejected the talk of moving IPL games out of Bengaluru. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government will do whatever is necessary to keep the hosting of matches safe. He also informed that plans are underway to build a second and bigger cricket stadium in Bengaluru.
“From now on, no IPL will be shifted. We will hold it here. This is the pride of Karnataka and Bengaluru and we will protect it. Whatever needs to be done, we will ensure that it is taken care of going forward,” Shivakumar said.
He further said, “Along with this we will also develop an alternative stadium, which will be bigger.”
Before the Chinnaswamy Stadium can host the Games in 2026, officials will first have to confirm that the 17-acre venue in central Bengaluru is structurally safe and strong enough for use.
RCB retains core ahead of one-day IPL 2026 mini auction in Abu Dhabi
The IPL 2026 auction will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi. This will be a one day mini auction. Before the auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has made many changes in its team.
The team has reshaped its overseas lineup by releasing Liam Livingstone, Lungi Ngidi, Tim Seifert and Blessing Muzarabani. Yash Dayal, who played a key role in RCB’s title win earlier this year, has been retained despite not playing since the final and facing cricket-related legal issues.
RCB has also left behind domestic players Mayank Agarwal and Swastik Chikara. Agarwal came in as a replacement last season, and left without debuting for the Chikara franchise.
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