Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has firmly stated that IPL matches will not be moved from the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This declaration comes in the wake of a severe stampede incident after the 2025 IPL final, which led to the deaths of 11 individuals and the stadium losing its status as a host for subsequent major tournaments. Shivakumar highlighted that hosting IPL matches at Chinnaswamy is crucial for Bengaluru and Karnataka’s prestige. He reassured the public that stringent measures will be implemented to ensure such tragic events are never repeated, thereby restoring the stadium’s reputation. ‘We will not allow IPL matches to be shifted out of Chinnaswamy stadium,’ Shivakumar emphasized, also revealing plans to construct an additional cricket stadium. His comments, made post-voting in the KSCA elections, underscore a dedication to cricket and venue integrity. The stadium’s hosting rights were previously revoked for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 and the Maharaja T20 tournament, and it will not host WPL 2026, which is scheduled elsewhere.
