IPL 2026: IPL 2026 is just a few days away, but the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is still not ready for the tournament opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match will be held on Saturday—tickets sold out within minutes. However, according to ESPNCricinfo, the venue looks like a 'construction site' just days before the match. The pitch appears completely ready. Still, pieces of plywood lie near the entry gate as carpenters and vendors work hard to finish the venue.
This venue underwent many infrastructural changes after 11 people died in a stampede last year. The Karnataka State Cricket Association made major changes to the entry gates and fan areas. As a result, the stadium missed the March 15 deadline to be ready.
"We haven't slept for four days," one worker was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo.
At the same time, the BCCI chose not to hold the opening ceremony of the upcoming season. This is to honour the victims who died during the tragic stampede last year.
The Rajat Patidar-led side will play Sunrisers Hyderabad in their opener at home on Saturday, March 28. No celebrations will take place before this clash. According to The Times of India, the IPL governing council plans a grand closing ceremony on May 31.
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“Following last year's tragic incident on June 4, there will be no formal function to mark the start of IPL-2026 in Bengaluru. The BCCI will not organize any cultural or entertainment show at the start of IPL-19. This is to respect those who died on June 4, 2025. However, the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council plan a grand entertainment function at the closing of the IPL, on the final day, May 31," Devajit Saikia told the Times of India.