Chinnaswamy Stadium cleared for limited cricket return

The iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is set to welcome cricket back, albeit in a limited capacity, after the Karnataka government granted conditional approval. The clearance comes following assurances from Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president Venkatesh Prasad regarding phased safety upgrades at the venue.

Cricket action is scheduled to resume from December 24 with the Vijay Hazare Trophy , marking a special return for Virat Kohli , who last played at Chinnaswamy in the 2009-10 season . Attendance for these matches will be restricted to 2,000-3,000 fans , ensuring compliance with safety protocols.

The stadium has long been a fortress for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, but its history has also been marred by crowd-related incidents, most notably the RCB stampede , which raised serious concerns about fan safety and stadium management.

Royal Challengers Bangalore supporters have welcomed the news, celebrating the chance to reclaim their home ground ahead of the team’s 2026 season defense . This comes after the RCB stampede , and safety-conscious voices have urged caution, emphasizing the need for strict measures to prevent incidents reminiscent of past chaos.

With the phased return, the Chinnaswamy aims to balance the excitement of live cricket with enhanced security and a controlled fan experience, signaling a cautious but welcome revival of competitive action at one of India’s most beloved cricket arenas.