DK Shivakumar has reacted to reports that Bengaluru will not host the Indian Premier League final this season, citing operational and logistical reasons for the change of venue. Bengaluru lost the hosting rights not only for the final but also for all the play-off matches, despite the long-standing IPL convention of the defending champions hosting the title clash.
This comes amid reports suggesting that Bengaluru has missed out on hosting the much-anticipated final due to political issues in the city, especially related to MLA ticket distribution. However, in a statement, the Karnataka State Cricket Association said that the exact reasons behind the change of venue were never formally communicated.
“The IPL final had to be shifted with the intention that there is a big stadium in Ahmedabad and more people will gather. There is nothing to do with MLA ticket distribution and shifting of the final match. 50% will be booked elsewhere,” Shivakumar said as quoted by ANI.
The convention for the IPL final is for the defending champions to host the match. Last year, the final was moved from the Eden Gardens due to potential weather disruptions and other logistical concerns after tensions on the India-Pakistan border threatened to escalate into a full-blown conflict.
Based on the recommendations of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, KSCA expressed disappointment after Bengaluru it missed out on hosting the 2026 IPL play-offs and finals, despite being originally earmarked as the venue for the summit clash.
“KSCA president and legendary Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad was personally in touch with BCCI in this regard and also formally expressed KSCA’s readiness, willingness and keen interest to host the IPL playoffs at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium,” a KSCA statement said.
“The IPL matches held in Bengaluru during the current season have been widely appreciated for their smooth execution, crowd management, operational efficiency and overall spectator experience, reaffirming KSCA’s ability to successfully host marquees of such scale and importance,” he added.
The move also means that the Narendra Modi Stadium will host the IPL final for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
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Published on:
06 May 2026 18:10 IST
