Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium is racing against time to get ready for the IPL 2026 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, March 28. According to reports, the venue still resembles a construction site with masons, carpenters, contractors, and vendors working round the clock.
One worker claimed he had not slept for four days due to the pressure of finishing preparations. In a separate development, the BCCI confirmed there will be no opening ceremony this season as a mark of respect for the 11 stampede victims who lost their lives during RCB’s maiden title celebrations on June 4 last year.
Why Is Chinnaswamy Stadium Still Under Construction
The stadium’s renovation work has overrun its original March 15 deadline. No section of the venue stands fully completed as of Thursday. Workers from multiple trades continue to race side by side to put the finishing touches in place before the first ball on Saturday evening.
Despite the unfinished state of the ground, demand for the match remains sky high. Tickets for the RCB vs SRH opener sold out in just four minutes after going live on the booking platform.
Why Did the BCCI Cancel the IPL 2026 Opening Ceremony
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the decision stems from sensitivity around last year’s tragic stampede at the same venue. Eleven people lost their lives on June 4, 2025, during celebrations of RCB’s first ever IPL title. The board chose not to organise any cultural or entertainment event at the start of the tournament as a mark of respect.
However, the BCCI and IPL Governing Council plan to host a grand closing ceremony on the day of the final on May 31 instead.
What Else Is Happening Ahead of IPL 2026 Kickoff
- All 10 IPL captains met at BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Wednesday for discussions on playing conditions and rule clarifications
- RCB and KSCA have placed a memorial plaque at the stadium’s inner entrance in memory of the 11 stampede victims
- Eleven seats at Chinnaswamy will remain permanently reserved and will not go on sale for any match
- A minute of silence will precede the start of play on March 28
The venue now has roughly 48 hours to transform from a construction zone into a match ready stadium for what promises to be one of the most emotionally charged IPL openers in the tournament’s history.
