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Explained: Why Royal Challengers Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy stadium could miss hosting IPL 2026 final originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- BCCI may shift IPL 2026 final away from Bengaluru over MLA ticket row.
- Playoffs likely to be split between Punjab and Karnataka venues.
- Political demands for free MLA tickets have created complications for Bengaluru.
IPL 2026 final venue in doubt as political row threatens Bengaluru's hosting rights
The BCCI is preparing to announce the venues for the IPL 2026 playoffs and final, but the process has been held up by an uncomfortable situation brewing in Karnataka.
Under normal circumstances, the decision would be straightforward; the defending champions traditionally host the final, which would point directly to Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium given Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title triumph last season.
But nothing about this situation feels straightforward right now, and the BCCI has made clear that if the problem is not sorted, the final will be taken elsewhere.
MORE: Gavaskar lashes out at Bumrah as MI star's poor IPL 2026 form continued
What did the BCCI say about IPL final venue?
A source within the board told ANI that the playoff fixtures are expected to be distributed between Punjab and Karnataka.
"The IPL 2026 playoff and final venues will be announced soon. The matches are likely to be divided between Punjab and Karnataka. As per convention, the defending champions should host the final, but the MLA ticket issue is creating problems in Bengaluru. If there is no resolution, the BCCI will move the final to another city," the source told ANI.
MORE: RCB's IPL 2026 playoff chances detailed: Qualification scenarios, wins and points required for Royal Challengers Bengaluru
How did the Bengaluru IPL ticket controversy start?
The dispute started during the IPL 2026 opening game between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Ahead of that fixture, Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar made a public statement suggesting that every sitting MLA should be entitled to at least five IPL tickets.
He argued that elected representatives are important enough figures to be exempt from ordinary queuing and purchasing processes.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stepped in with what appeared to be a compromise, confirming that three tickets per RCB home match would be set aside for MLAs and MPs during the ongoing tournament. Shortly after, Home Minister G. Parameshwara took a firmer line, pushing back against suggestions that tickets were being misused.
MORE: Can RCB sign an injury replacement for Phil Salt and who are the options?
He stated that tickets for matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium are sold online and carry a non-transferable status, meaning only the purchaser or an immediate family member can use them. He argued that no misuse was structurally possible given these restrictions. Whether that explanation fully addresses the BCCI's concerns is another matter.
2008-2025: All IPL finals listed
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Rajasthan Royals | Chennai Super Kings | DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai |
| 2009 | Deccan Chargers | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
| 2010 | Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai Indians | DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 2012 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Chennai Super Kings | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 2013 | Mumbai Indians | Chennai Super Kings | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 2014 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Kings XI Punjab | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| 2015 | Mumbai Indians | Chennai Super Kings | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| 2017 | Mumbai Indians | Rising Pune Supergiant | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| 2018 | Chennai Super Kings | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 2019 | Mumbai Indians | Chennai Super Kings | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| 2020 | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 2021 | Chennai Super Kings | Kolkata Knight Riders | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans | Rajasthan Royals | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 2023 | Chennai Super Kings | Gujarat Titans | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunrisers Hyderabad | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 2025 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Punjab Kings | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
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