BCCI Explains Why Bengaluru Lost Hosting Rights for IPL 2026 Final

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has clarified that Bengaluru lost the hosting rights for the IPL 2026 final after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) allegedly sought thousands of additional complimentary tickets beyond the approved quota. The controversy emerged after the BCCI shifted the IPL 2026 final from Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, triggering criticism from fans and cricket followers. Many had expected Bengaluru to host the title clash, especially with Royal Challengers Bengaluru enjoying a successful season.

According to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, the board became concerned over requests for a large number of extra complimentary passes linked to political representatives and VIPs in Karnataka. Apart from the standard quota already allowed under IPL regulations, KSCA allegedly requested around 10,000 additional tickets for legislators, affiliated clubs, members and other officials.

Reports also suggested that several hundred extra passes were sought for members of the Karnataka government. BCCI officials said such demands exceeded the board’s operational guidelines and created logistical complications related to hosting one of the tournament’s biggest matches.

The issue had gained political attention earlier when Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar publicly demanded complimentary IPL tickets for elected representatives. The matter later escalated within the state government, adding to concerns surrounding ticket allocation and event management.

The KSCA expressed disappointment over the decision and maintained that the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was fully prepared to host the matches. The association claimed it had informed the BCCI about its readiness and denied any inability to conduct the event successfully.

The controversy has also renewed attention on crowd management issues in Bengaluru following the stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations last year, which had raised safety concerns around large-scale cricket events in the city. With the shift, Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will host the IPL final once again, further strengthening its status as the preferred venue for major cricket tournaments in India.