Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium may no longer host any matches of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, according to recent reports. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has been under scrutiny following a tragic incident during an IPL celebration where a stampede killed 11 fans and injured many others. In light of this, the Karnataka government has refused to grant clearance for the stadium to host large-scale events, citing serious safety concerns.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium was initially scheduled to host both the opening game and final of the Women’s World Cup, along with the opening ceremony. However, the cabinet recently approved a report from Justice John Michael D’Cunha’s Commission, which labeled the stadium as “fundamentally unsafe” for mass gatherings.

According to India Today, sources within the KSCA confirmed that the fixtures planned for Bengaluru, including the opening ceremony, would be shifted to other venues. This decision follows the court’s findings, which raised alarms about the stadium’s safety.

KSCA Expresses Disappointment
The KSCA has expressed disappointment over the verdict, pointing to the stadium’s history of hosting over 750 matches and nearly 15 IPL seasons without any major safety incidents. A KSCA official stated, “Even our request to host matches without spectators was turned down.”

The safety concerns also impacted the KSCA Maharaj T20 Trophy, with the tournament, which was meant to be played at Chinnaswamy Stadium from August 11-28, being moved to the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Cricket Stadium in Mysuru after the venue failed to secure a clearance certificate from the city police.

This latest development has raised concerns about the future of the stadium as a venue for major sporting events.

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