Bengaluru Invests ₹943 Crore Into Another Stadium [Source: AP]The city of Bengaluru is still reeling from the aftermath of the stampede tragedy that broke out outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL title victory celebration. However, the authorities have now stepped into action.The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been the home to cricket in Bengaluru. RCB have used it as their home ground in the IPL, while the Maharaja Trophy is also held at the same venue.However, since the stampede incident, the venue has faced serious difficulties in bagging the hosting rights due to unsafe infrastructure and environment. Bengaluru to build a second cricket stadium Hence, to tackle this issue, the Karnataka government has officially launched a project to build India's second-largest cricket venue after the Narendra Modi Stadium.According to reports, the international stadium, built on 75 acres in Anekal near Bannerghatta National Park, will have a sports complex and a seating capacity of around 80,000 spectators.The project will reportedly cost around ₹943 crore and is expected to be completed within the next couple of years.If everything goes well, the Bengaluru stadium could be the second-largest stadium after the Narendra Modi Stadium, which has a capacity of 90,000 spectators.Bengaluru would gain another world-class cricket venue, which will help it smoothly host more IPL matches, stage ICC tournaments, and attract concerts and large sporting events.Also Read - What Fresh Crime Happened At RCB's Chinnaswamy Stadium In IPL 2026? Will BCCI Ban It Again?CM DK Shivakumar lays the foundation Meanwhile, the foundation stone of the new stadium project was laid by Karnataka chief minister D. K. Shivakumar and senior political leader Siddaramaiah. The government says it will not directly spend taxpayer money on the project, as the funding will come through Karnataka Housing Board land auctions. Officials also claimed nearby land prices have already increased sharply because of the stadium announcement.But one major issue hindering this project is the location. The new stadium site lies near the eco-sensitive zone of Bannerghatta National Park. Hence, environmental concerns have been raised, and the issue is reportedly pending before the Supreme Court.Chinnaswamy Stadium’s recent troublesMeanwhile, this new cricket stadium project comes after the Chinnaswamy Stadium faced severe backlash for its poor safety measures after the IPL 2025 stampede incident. Since the stampede, the venue lost hosting rights of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 and the Maharaja Trophy. Not only that, RCB played only a limited number of home games in Bengaluru as Raipur stepped in as their second home.Also, in a major blow, the Chinnaswamy Stadium lost the hosting rights of the IPL 2026 final due to a conflict with the BCCI and IPL governing council.Needless to say, Bengaluru needed an overhaul in its cricket facilities, and this new stadium will serve that purpose.Also Read - Mumbai Indians Sign Quinton De Kock, Raj Angad Bawa Replacements For IPL 2026
