Bengaluru’s Iconic Stadium Loses Hosting Rights
Bengaluru’s iconic stadium, M. Chinnaswamy, has been denied hosting rights for the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. The decision follows the Karnataka government’s refusal to grant permission for the stadium’s use, after a judicial inquiry into the fatal stampede that occurred on June 4 outside the stadium during IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden trophy celebration.
Tragic Stampede Sparks Investigation
The deadly stampede turned a day of joy into tragedy for fans who had awaited RCB’s victory for 18 years. The incident resulted in 11 deaths and left more than 50 people injured, sparking major unrest across the cricketing community.
A commission led by Justice John Michael D’Cunha was appointed to investigate the incident and recently submitted a report, which the Karnataka cabinet has accepted. The findings painted a troubling picture of the stadium, deeming it “structurally unsafe” for hosting large-scale events in its current state.
Safety Shortcomings Identified
The report outlined major shortcomings, including insufficient entry and exit gates, a lack of dedicated queuing areas separated from busy roads, inadequate access to public transport, and a shortage of parking and drop-off zones. It also found that emergency evacuation plans failed to meet international standards.
Crowd Management Failures
Lapses in crowd management during the RCB celebrations were also highlighted. The commission found that only 79 police personnel were deployed inside the stadium, with none stationed outside where the stampede occurred. No ambulances were on standby, and senior police officials arrived 30 minutes after the stampede began, delaying critical emergency response efforts.
The commission held multiple parties responsible, including the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), event organiser DNA Entertainment Networks, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and senior police officers.
KSCA’s Response and Rejected Proposal
For the KSCA, the report was a major setback. The association stressed its long history of safely hosting matches, including 750 games and 15 IPL seasons. Officials pointed out that the stampede occurred during a privately organised celebration, not a cricket match, and argued that the stadium’s record for official events should not be overshadowed by this tragedy.
To retain hosting rights, the KSCA even proposed hosting the World Cup behind closed doors, but the government reportedly rejected the offer. The stadium had been scheduled to host several high-profile fixtures, including the opening match, a semi-final, the final, and the opening ceremony. These events will now be relocated, with the BCCI expected to announce a revised schedule soon.
Call for Infrastructure Upgrades
The stampede serves as a wake-up call to upgrade sporting infrastructure in the country. While newer stadiums may meet modern safety standards, older venues like the Chinnaswamy were built decades ago under different regulations. Upgrades must prioritise crowd management and emergency planning.
World Cup Timeline and Impact
The ICC Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2, will be Sri Lanka’s first time hosting an ICC Women’s tournament. With Chinnaswamy removed from the list of venues and the tournament approaching quickly, organisers face the challenge of finding replacements without compromising safety.
For Bengaluru, the removal of Chinnaswamy from the World Cup highlights the delicate balance between celebration and safety — a lesson the city’s cricket community hopes will ensure safer events in the future.
Yash Desai is a renowned journalist with over 10+ years of experience covering sports around the world. He began his career as a News Reporter in Delhi, India, and got an opportunity to cover several World events, including the Olympics, Paralympics, and World Games. He often felt that women’s sports are sidelined and given step-motherly treatment by the mainstream media. To bridge this gap and to build an equal playing field, Yash co-founded FemaleInSports and is currently working as a Lead Editor here.
