Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium declared 'unsafe' for big events; Women’s WC 2025, IPL 2026 & other matches in doubt

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has been declared "unsuitable and unsafe" for large-scale events by the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission, which was appointed by the Karnataka government to investigate the stampede that took place on 4 July.

The stampede happened during the victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after the team won their first-ever IPL title, ending an 18-year wait. The incident left 11 people dead and over 50 injured.

According to ESPNCricinfo, the commission’s report says the stadium’s design and structure are not suitable for hosting large gatherings. The panel warned that holding such events there could cause serious risks to public safety, traffic, and emergency response.


The report blamed RCB, its event partners DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for their roles in the poorly planned event. The panel called for future large-scale events to be moved to better-equipped venues that meet international safety standards.

Upcoming Matches in Doubt

This finding puts doubt over the upcoming matches scheduled at Chinnaswamy Stadium, including the opening match and a semifinal of the ICC Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup, set to be held between 30 September and 2 November.

The KSCA has also decided that its upcoming Maharaja Trophy T20 League, starting 11 August, will be held behind closed doors (without spectators).

Stadium Lacks Basic Safety Features

Built in 1974, the stadium does not meet several modern safety requirements, including:

• Proper queuing and crowd control areas
• Enough entry and exit gates
• Easy access to public transport
• Emergency evacuation plans that follow global standards
• Adequate parking and drop-off areas

The report noted that these shortcomings made the venue unsafe for large events.

Officials Named in the Report

The panel has recommended action against several people, including:

• KSCA president Raghuram Bhat
• Former secretary A Shankar and former treasurer ES Jairam, who have already resigned
• RCB vice-president Rajesh Menon
• DNA Entertainment MD T Venkat Vardhan and VP Sunil Mathur

Several police officers were also held responsible, including B Dayananda, Vikash Kumar, Shekhar HT, C Balakrishna, and AK Girish, all of whom were removed from their posts after the tragedy by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The Karnataka government, which had also held a public celebration with RCB players at Vidhana Soudha, is expected to discuss the commission’s recommendations at its next cabinet meeting, according to ESPNCricinfo.

Inputs from ANI