More than a month after a fatal stampede outside Bengaluru’s iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium, Indian police are yet to clear the venue to host matches, casting doubt over the start of the Maharaja T20 League, scheduled for August 11.
The June 4 tragedy unfolded during what was meant to be a celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first-ever IPL title. Rumours of free tickets, poor crowd control, and a lack of planning created chaos as over 200,000 fans gathered.
From around 3:30 PM, fans began scaling fences and pushing through entry points, leading to a devastating crush. At least 11 people—mostly young fans—lost their lives, with dozens more injured.
A high-court panel has since blamed RCB, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event partner DNA Entertainment for holding the event without legal clearance. Police have filed a case for criminal negligence, while several top officials were suspended or resigned.
Now, with just days to go before the domestic T20 competition begins, the KSCA is scrambling to secure police clearance. Alternative venues in Mysore or Alur are reportedly under consideration.
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The Chinnaswamy Stadium is one of India’s most storied cricket grounds and home to IPL franchise RCB. England internationals like Will Jacks and Reece Topley featured there during the 2025 season, making the venue a familiar one for UK cricket fans.
The ongoing investigation has sparked a wider conversation about crowd safety in Indian cricket, with comparisons drawn to stricter security protocols in countries like England.
As the sport’s global footprint expands, the stampede serves as a sobering reminder that fan experience must begin with safety.