IPL 2026 Playoffs: KSCA disappointed after BCCI take away Final from Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially moved the IPL 2026 final from Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, scheduled for May 31.

The decision comes as part of a broader shift in playoff venues, with matches now spread across Dharamshala and New Chandigarh.

"Owing to certain operational and logistical considerations, the TATA IPL 2026 Playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season as a special case. 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," BCCI said in a statement earlier.

IPL 2026 Playoff Schedule

Qualifier 1: May 26 - HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
Eliminator: May 27 - New PCA International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh (Mullanpur)
Qualifier 2: May 29 - New PCA International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh (Mullanpur)
Final: May 31 - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

This marks the fourth time in five seasons that Ahmedabad will host the IPL final (previously in 2022, 2023, and 2025).

KSCA's Reaction

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) expressed disappointment while affirming its readiness to host the matches. In an official statement issued on May 6, the association said: "At the outset, KSCA expresses its disappointment that the IPL Playoff matches have been allotted to other centres."

It further noted that KSCA President and former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad had been personally in touch with the BCCI.

"KSCA President and legendary Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad was personally in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in this regard and had also formally conveyed KSCA's preparedness, willingness, and keen interest in hosting the IPL Playoffs at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium."

"Despite our preparedness and willingness to host the Playoffs, we understand that the BCCI has taken a decision to allot these matches to other venues. While the specific reasons for the same have not been formally communicated to KSCA, we fully respect the prerogative and decision-making authority of the BCCI in this regard," the statement added.

Highlighting its track record, KSCA added: "The IPL matches conducted in Bengaluru during the current season were widely appreciated for their smooth execution, crowd management, operational efficiency, and overall spectator experience."