The iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, home of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), is expected to lose its hosting rights for the upcoming domestic franchise T20 competition. The Bengaluru police have yet to give clearance to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host the Maharaja T20, which is scheduled to begin in August and run for two weeks. 

The non-clearance of the police authority has come after the ongoing investigation of the stampede around the ground in the premises for the celebration of the RCB lifting their maiden title in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, when they got the better of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. An investigation has given the results of 11 deaths and over 50 injuries.

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The KSCA announced that Maharaj T20 would be played behind closed doors. But now they are looking for some different option, including their facility in Alur on the outskirts of Bengaluru, as well as the Mysuru ground. Alur’s drainage is excellent, but the issue will be around the infrastructure and the floodlights, which will be a huge issue for the broadcasters.

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to lose hosting of Maharaja T20 League 2025

Alur is going to host the group games of the six-day women’s T20 event- the Maharani T20- from August 04. That will give the organizers a clear view of what will be the next process. KSCA has started discussions around the late venue switch, but the franchises have shown their concern for the financial losses they now face, having already gone through the hotel bookings for the players and staff in Bengaluru.

The police clearance issue puts the state association in a tough spot as the ground is also the venue for the opening fixture of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, alongside the semi-final and final, if Pakistan doesn’t qualify for the contest. It will also host a couple of warm-up games ahead of the event.

India’s domestic season-opening Duleep Trophy will be played at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. They cancelled the final at the ground to give the preparation chance to the women’s side for the World Cup in the late autumn.