Bengaluru metro ridership doubles as IPL ticket–metro integration draws over 22,000 commuters

Metro ridership more than doubled in the opening match of IPL 2026 in Bengaluru on Saturday; More than 22,000 passengers used the services under the new ticket integration model introduced by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The initiative, implemented in coordination with the Bengaluru City Police, Karnataka State Cricket Association and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has allowed match tickets embedded with metro QR codes to double as free travel tickets. Spectators will be able to go from any metro station to Cubbon Park or MG Road stations and return without purchasing separate tickets.

According to a statement by BMRCL, the move has resulted in a sharp increase in passenger numbers compared to the usual 8,000 to 10,000 passengers on match days, while also easing congestion and parking pressure in the central business district.

BMRCL has ensured smooth operations through coordinated crowd management and increased train frequency, the statement said. Post-match distribution of more than 22,000 passengers was completed within 50 minutes, with trains running at three-minute intervals.