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IPL 2026 Final Venue Changed: In a surprising development ahead of the IPL 2026 knockout matches, the BCCI has shifted the venues for the much-anticipated IPL 2026 final, along with the playoff venues. Despite being the defending champions, RCB will not get to host the IPL 2026 Final at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, with the title-decider now set to be played at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.

A report by Jagran.com stated that the decision was made due to the ongoing 'MLA ticket controversy' in Karnataka, where the local MLAs are demanding free tickets for themselves and their family members. 

Citing "operational and logistical issues at the original venue in Bengaluru," BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that certain requirements by local administration were beyond BCCI's guidelines, hence the venue for the IPL 2026 final has been changed.

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"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," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement, as reported by Reuters.

Traditionally, the IPL final of a new season is hosted at the home ground of the previous season's champions. As per tradition, the IPL 2026 Final was scheduled to be played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, as RCB had lifted their maiden IPL trophy last year after defeating Punjab by 6 runs. 

According to the league's new playoff schedule, Dharamsala will host the first qualifier on May 26, while New Chandigarh will stage the eliminator and the second qualifier before action moves to the world's largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

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"Qualifier 1, featuring the top two teams in the standings, will be played on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, with a direct berth in the Final at stake," the BCCI stated in the press release.

"The action will then move to the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will host the Eliminator on May 27 between the third and fourth-placed teams. The same venue will also stage Qualifier 2 on May 29," it added.

"The season will conclude with the grand Final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad -- the world's largest cricket stadium -- setting the stage for a spectacular finale," the Board said.

Where will IPL Playoffs and IPL 2026 Final be played?

- IPL 2026 Qualifier 1: The match will now be played at the picturesque Dharamshala stadium.

- IPL 2026 Eliminator & Qualifier 2: These two crucial knockout clashes will take place at the Mullanpur Stadium in Chandigarh.

- IPL 2026 Final: Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium will host the summit clash.

IPL 2026: What Is The MLA Ticket Controversy?

The venue shift for the IPL 2026 final is reportedly linked to the MLA ticket controversy, which began ahead of the season opener between RCB and SRH. The issue started after demands were raised in Karnataka that every MLA should receive at least five match tickets. Several MLAs argued that elected representatives are VIPs and should not have to stand in queues for tickets.

ALSO READ: 'We Can’t Stand In Queues': Karnataka MLAs Demand 5 Free IPL Tickets For RCB Matches In Bengaluru

Later, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar announced that MLAs and MPs would be allotted 3 tickets each for RCB matches in Chinnaswamy Stadium. Following the announcement, allegations of ticket misuse began surfacing. However, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara dismissed these allegations, stating that tickets are booked online and are non-transferable, used only by legislators or their family members to attend matches.


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