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Bengaluru’s M.Chinnaswamy Stadium was all set to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final but they lost the hosting rights with a few weeks to go into the title clash. Instead, Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will host the IPL final once again. On May 6, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave clarification as the schedule for playoffs and the final was announced.
“Owing to certain operational and logistical considerations, the TATA IPL 2026 Playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season as a special case,” the BCCI said in a statement.
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“Bengaluru was originally designated to host the Final. However, owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI's established guidelines and protocols, the venue has been shifted and reassigned.”
The Qualifier 1 on May 26 will be hosted at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala. A day later, the Eliminator clash will take place at New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. At the same venue, Qualifier 2 will take place as well on May 29. Then, the stage for the title clash will be set in Ahmedabad on May 31.
Ahmedabad’s 4th IPL final in 5 seasons
As per the norm, the defending champions’ homeground is where the IPL final is scheduled but Ahmedabad will end up hosting the final for the fourth time. It happened last year as well but the reason was different. Eden Gardens, Kolkata didn’t host the final due to weather-related issues. The IPL 2025 had come to a halt due to military conflict between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor to avenge the lives lost in Pahalgam terrorist attack. With rain threat looming large over the final, it was shifted from Kolkata to Ahmedabad.
MLA ticket issue behind Bengaluru losing IPL final hosting rights?
While the BCCI didn’t mention it in the press release, MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar had said that every MLA should get at least five wickets as 'VIPs' should not be waiting in line to get tickets like common people. It led to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar saying that for RCB matches, three tickets each will be provided to the MLAs and MPs.
"IPL 2026 playoffs and final venue will be announced soon. Matches likely to be divided into Punjab and Karnataka, the last time winner should host the final, but MLA ticket issue is creating problems in Bengaluru, and if there is no solution, then BCCI will move the final to another city," a BCCI source was quoted as saying by ANI news agency.
RCB are currently placed second on the points table. If they reach the playoffs and then the final, they will miss out on home support at the venue which may be considerably lower in Ahmedabad.
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