IPL 2026 in doubt at Chinnaswamy as government demands stadium safety clearance

The fate of IPL 2026 matches at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium has come under a cloud, with the state government directing a comprehensive structural fitness test before granting approval for hosting games.

The Public Works Department (PWD) has issued a formal notice to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), instructing it to submit a detailed structural safety report for the stadium. The report must be prepared by experts certified by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), ensuring that the assessment meets stringent technical standards.

Built on 17 acres of PWD-leased land in the heart of the city, the stadium must now demonstrate that its spectator galleries and overall structure are safe to accommodate large crowds. The government has made it clear that only after independent experts certify the stadium’s structural fitness will IPL matches be permitted to return to Chinnaswamy in 2026.

More to follow…

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