Overview
- The IPL Governing Council has asked Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals to confirm their home venues by January 27.
- Karnataka has granted conditional permission for matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and KSCA says mandated upgrades such as wider gates, internal holding areas, traffic changes on Queen’s Road, digital ticketing, and enhanced fire and emergency access will be completed by the end of February.
- RCB issued statements welcoming the conditional nod but cited unresolved “grey areas,” emphasizing fan safety and proposing a Rs 4.5 crore plan for 300–350 AI-enabled crowd‑management cameras.
- Reports say state conditions would make the hosting team responsible for areas outside the stadium, restrict DJ usage, and require space for a fire brigade unit, which has contributed to RCB’s hesitation.
- RCB are exploring backup venues including Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, Raipur, and Pune, which would need additional approvals such as a Mumbai Indians NOC for DY Patil, while RR’s Jaipur plans remain uncertain due to RCA governance issues.