IPL 2026: BCCI Reveals Why M. Chinnaswamy In Bengaluru Won’t Be Hosting IPL Final

The IPL 2026 Final has been relocated from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad, with the BCCI confirming the change through an official statement. The board cited certain requirements put forward by local authorities and the state association in Bengaluru that did not align with its established guidelines and protocols, leading to the decision to move the marquee clash.

The summit clash is now set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31. Meanwhile, the playoff schedule will see the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala host Qualifier 1 on May 26. The action will then shift to the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will stage the Eliminator on May 27 and Qualifier 2 on May 29.

The BCCI also clarified that, due to specific operational and logistical factors, the IPL 2026 playoffs will be spread across three venues this season as a one-off arrangement.

Why Did BCCI Shift The IPL 2026 Final From Bengaluru To Ahmedabad?

In a statement jointly released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL Governing Council regarding the venues for the playoffs, the decision was made to shift the venue from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad. In the statement, it was stated that Bengaluru was indeed chosen as the venue to host the final.

However, certain requirements from the local bodies that were beyond their scope came into play. Naturally, the board decided to change the venue to Ahmedabad. Usually, the general rule of the Indian Premier League (IPL) states that the defending champions earn the right to host the final at their home ground.

But this is just a tradition or convention and not a thumb rule. The final decision rests with the BCCI Governing Council to shift the venue for any reason that they deem necessary.

Additionally, the BCCI has also spread the playoffs to three venues this year. In IPL 2025, the knockouts were held in two venues, with New Chandigarh hosting Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator and Ahmedabad hosting Qualifier 2 and the final.