Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have proposed installing AI-powered surveillance systems at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in an effort to strengthen crowd safety, as doubts persist over whether the venue will be cleared to host IPL 2026 matches.
The stadium has not hosted competitive cricket since the tragic stampede during RCB’s title celebrations on June 4, 2025, which resulted in 11 fatalities. The state government recently refused permission to stage Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at the ground, citing the stadium’s failure to meet safety norms.
In a formal proposal submitted to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), RCB suggested deploying 300–350 AI-enabled cameras across the stadium. The system would help track crowd flow, queues, entry and exit points, and detect unauthorised access in real time, assisting both KSCA officials and law enforcement in improving security and movement control.
Approval for hosting IPL matches hinges on the KSCA implementing the recommendations of the Michael D'Cunha Commission, which investigated the 2025 incident.
RCB have also offered to cover the entire installation cost—estimated at around INR 4.5 crore—as a one-time investment, according to a statement issued by the franchise.
A final decision on whether the defending champions will play their home games at Chinnaswamy is expected soon. With clearance still pending, the team is also evaluating alternate venues outside Bengaluru, including Pune, as backup options.

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