The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru getting ready for host the first IPL match of 2026, in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K
The Karnataka government on Monday (March 16, 2026) officially cleared the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for hosting IPL 2026 matches. The government’s decision follows the multi-department expert committee submitting its assessment report, stating that the stadium has undergone satisfactory upgrades.
Now, with all decks cleared, the Chinnaswamy Stadium will witness its first major match after ten months of lull on March 28. The home team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will start their title-defending campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the season’s inaugural match.
Big relief for IPL fans: Karnataka governnment allows matches in Bengaluru
After much deliberations over cricket matches to be played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here, the Karnataka government on February 12, 2026, agreed to allow the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches at the stadium with certain conditions.
| Video Credit:
The Hindu
Published – March 16, 2026 06:45 pm IST
