IPL to ban RCB? Stampede to put IPL 2025 winners in massive trouble

Since winning their maiden season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025, it has not been a smooth progress for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who may not be ruled out from hosting the high-attendance games at their home base, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The government has decided to act on Justice Michael Cunha's Commission report. It concluded that the stadium’s design and structure were unsuitable and unsafe for mass gatherings. 

The commission has been tasked to investigate the tragic stampede that happened on June 04 outside the ground and resulted in the deaths of 11 people. It took place on the Bengaluru roads around the venue when the franchise was going through the victory parade to celebrate their triumph at the IPL 2025.

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‘Any future venue should adhere to international standards. Until such infrastructural changes are made, continuing to host high-attendance events at the current location poses unacceptable risks to public safety, urban mobility, and emergency preparedness.’ The panel said, as reported by Deccan Herald.

RCB to be banned from hosting IPL games at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium

The report highlighted several critical shortcomings, including the lack of circulation zones and properly-built queues to separate the public role. There is not a sufficient number of gates for the large number of people to enter and exit, inadequate integration with transport and the tourist hubs, and the absence of emergency plans with international safety in question.

Since 1974, the 32000-capacity premises have been processed and managed by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The stadium spans 16 acres and 32 gnats of land by the Public Works Department (PWD), which leased the property to the KSCA for 99 years since its beginning in 1969. The venue will now host the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 competition from August 11 to 28.

‘The design and structure of the stadium were unsuitable and unsafe for mass gathering [sic]. All the entry and exit gates opened directly into the footpath. Spacious and organized holding area for crowd was not provided at the entry, as a result, the audience was forced to queue up on the footpath or road (obstructing) and endangering pedestrians and vehicular movement as well as giving scope for miscreants to join the crowd, aggravating the risk, especially in the absence of proper security.’ The report claimed.