Chinnaswamy Stadium will host the K Thimmappiah Memorial Trophy without spectators, while RCB’s new initiative promises ₹25 lakh compensation and improved safety for fans.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host competitive cricket for the first time since the stampede tragedy on June 4. The Karnataka State Cricket Association has confirmed that the K Thimmappiah Memorial Trophy will be played at the venue, but all matches will be held without spectators.
The decision comes after 11 lives were lost and over 50 people were injured during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL title celebrations, where crowd mismanagement led to chaos outside the stadium. A government probe later identified serious safety lapses.
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Following the incident, the stadium lost hosting rights for multiple Women’s World Cup games and the Maharaja Trophy. Authorities remain cautious, allowing cricket to return under strict restrictions.
Prominent players including Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, and Vijay Shankar are expected to participate. The tournament will see six matches at the venue, including a semi-final and the final on September 26.
Following safety recommendations, all games will be played without spectators as the Karnataka State Cricket Association continues to face compliance concerns, including fire safety issues and limited power supply after a BESCOM cut.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru launched a new initiative, RCB Cares, pledging ₹25 lakh to each family affected by the stampede tragedy. The program also promises long-term measures to enhance crowd safety and provide better support to fans attending future events.
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Last Updated on September 5, 2025
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