Bengaluru is set to witness the construction of a brand new stadium with a seating capacity of 60,000, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar confirmed on Friday. This move comes in response to the tragic stampede that occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL victory celebration at the city’s centrally located Chinnaswamy Stadium earlier this month.
Shivakumar announced that land has already been finalized for the upcoming stadium, although the exact location remains undisclosed for now. “We have identified the land, and the stadium will accommodate 60,000 people. Detailed plans will be revealed soon,” he told the media.
The tragic June 4 incident saw over three lakh fans gather near the 35,000-capacity Chinnaswamy Stadium—far exceeding the safe crowd limit—resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals and leaving many injured. The event exposed glaring lapses in crowd control and emergency planning, leading to widespread criticism of local authorities.
In the aftermath, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized the urgent need to ease congestion in the city center, hinting at a possible relocation of major event venues to more spacious and accessible locations. “Such tragedies must never repeat. The city’s infrastructure must evolve,” he stated.
Following public outcry, disciplinary action was swiftly taken, including the suspension of the Bengaluru Police Commissioner and other senior officials.
The new stadium is part of a larger ₹1 lakh crore urban infrastructure overhaul that includes tunnel roads, flyovers, and public transport enhancements. “We are building a world-class Bengaluru, inspired by Kempegowda’s vision,” said Shivakumar, highlighting the government’s long-term commitment to improving safety and civic infrastructure in the city.
Chinnaswamy Stadium, despite being a historic sporting venue, has long posed logistical challenges due to its central location and limited capacity. The new stadium aims to rectify those issues while providing a safer and more organized experience for large public gatherings.
