The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opened up about why Bengaluru missed out on hosting the IPL 2026 final despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) being the defending champions. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board was shocked by the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) demands for free tickets for the summit encounter.
While Dharamshala and New Chandigarh will host the other playoff matches, the final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After the decision, the KSCA expressed disappointmentstating that it has officially informed the BCCI of its readiness to host the marquee matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Saikia added that IPL rules allow only 15 per cent free tickets for host associations, but the KSCA reportedly sought a much higher allocation during league matches.
“As per the IPL protocol, we are required to provide only 15% of the total seating capacity to the host association as free tickets. This is the standard protocol; all host nation associations will receive 15% allocation of their total capacity in the form of free tickets,” Saikia said, according to ANI.
“However, we received information from various sources which indicated that during the hosting of IPL league matches, the Karnataka State Association was claiming a significantly higher number of free tickets, far in excess of the stipulated 15%,” Saikia said.
DEMAND FOR 10,000 MORE TICKETS
Saikia said the BCCI has sought an explanation from the Karnataka State Cricket Association after reports of excessive demand for free tickets during IPL matches surfaced. Saikia revealed that the KSCA, apart from the mandatory 15 per cent quota, has demanded nearly 10,000 more tickets for members, affiliated clubs, MLAs, MLCs and even sought 700 free passes for the Karnataka government.
“Subsequently, we sent them an email asking for exact details regarding the matter. We were shocked to receive a reply via email from the Karnataka State Cricket Association on May 2; in that email, they said that over and above the 15% quota of free tickets, they would require an additional, substantial allocation of tickets for their members, affiliated clubs and various others,” Saikia said.
“The most surprising thing is that they have also asked for tickets for their local Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Legislative Council members. And also for the Karnataka government for 700 free tickets. So over and above the 15% allocation, they have asked for around 10,000 more tickets,” Saikia added.
Earlier in the IPL 2026 season, Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar had courted controversy by demanding free IPL tickets for elected representatives, saying MLAs are “VIPs” and should not queue with ordinary fans.
The matter soon turned political, requiring the intervention of Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar before a compromise was reached for MLAs, MLCs and MPs. Sources had earlier suggested that the growing ticket allocation dispute and related logistical concerns influenced the BCCI’s decision to shift the play-offs from Bengaluru, with the Narendra Modi Stadium once again hosting the final.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
07 May 2026 17:57 IST
