The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) voiced its “disappointment” on Wednesday following the BCCI’s decision to move the IPL 2026 final from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad.
Since Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the reigning champions, Bengaluru was supposed to host the final. However, the BCCI changed the venue to Ahmedabad without giving a clear explanation.
The final venue was changed “owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols,” according to the Board.
KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad declared before the beginning of IPL 2026 that Bengaluru would host seven games, including five RCB home games, a play-off, and the final.
“At the outset, KSCA expresses its disappointment that the IPL Playoff matches have been allotted to other centres. KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad was in touch with the BCCI in this regard and had also formally conveyed KSCA’s preparedness, willingness, and keen interest in hosting the IPL Playoffs at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium,” said Vinay Mruthyunjaya, KSCA’s official spokesperson.
According to Mruthyunjaya, the BCCI has not yet communicated the “specific reasons” for moving the play-off games to different locations.
“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,” he added.
After 11 fans were killed in a stampede during the team’s win celebrations last year, the KSCA, in collaboration with RCB and other state government officials, carried out extensive repair and security enhancement projects ahead of IPL 2026.
Before approving the return of cricket to the venue, the Board and the state government were both pleased with the efforts made.
There were no problems during the five IPL games played in the city, and crowd control and security had significantly improved.
“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.
“In this regard, KSCA had addressed a detailed communication to the BCCI outlining its preparedness and explaining the operational framework under which the current IPL season was conducted in Bengaluru,” he said.
Mruthyunjaya reaffirmed that the KSCA is now “fully prepared” to host games at all levels, despite the IPL play-off matches not being allocated.
“KSCA would like to reiterate that it remains fully prepared to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to extend its fullest support and cooperation to the BCCI, franchises, government authorities, and all stakeholders for the successful conduct of cricketing events in India,” he said.
However, the Chinnaswamy will host the fifth Twenty20 International between India and the West Indies on October 17, marking the return of international cricket there later this year.
On December 16, India and Sri Lanka will play their second ODI at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
