IPL 2026 Final Shifted to Ahmedabad as KSCA’s MLA Ticket Demand Forces BCCI Decision

The BCCI has explained why the IPL 2026 final was moved from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad. Usually, the defending champions get to host the next IPL final, so many fans expected the match to be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

But the BCCI chose the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad instead. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the decision was linked to ticket distribution by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).

Reports claimed KSCA gave extra tickets to MLAs and MLCs. Saikia has now confirmed that this issue was one of the reasons why Bengaluru lost the hosting rights for the IPL 2026 final.

“As per IPL protocol, we are required to provide only 15% of the total seating capacity as complimentary tickets to the host association. This constitutes the standard protocol. However, we received information from various sources indicating that during the hosting of IPL league matches, the Karnataka State Association was claiming a significantly higher number of complimentary tickets far exceeding the stipulated 15%,” 

“Consequently, we sent them an email requesting precise details regarding this matter. We were shocked when we received a response via email from the Karnataka State Cricket Association on May 2nd; in that email, they stated that—over and above the 15% complimentary ticket quota—they would require an additional, substantial allocation of tickets for their members, affiliated clubs, and various others. Most surprisingly, they also requested tickets for their local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of the Legislative Council. And also, to the government of Karnataka, 700 complimentary tickets. Thus, over and above the 15% allocation, they were demanding approximately 10,000 additional tickets.

And as you are all aware, the BCCI serves as the host body for the Playoff and Final matches. Therefore, we cannot violate our protocols by issuing tickets in excess of what is permitted under the IPL’s rules and regulations—specifically, the 15% complimentary quota allocated to the host state. Consequently, we were compelled to make the difficult decision to relocate the matches from Karnataka,” Saikia added.

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