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BCCI Moves IPL 2026 Final to Ahmedabad, Splits Playoffs Across Three Cities

The shift follows BCCI's claim that Bengaluru sought ticket terms beyond its protocols.

The venue of the IPL 2026 final has been confirmed and, surprise surprise, Ahmedabad will host the clash once again. Sarah Waris looks at why Indian cricket’s biggest occasions increasingly keep returning to one city, and whether the balance is slowly beginning to feel uneven.
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Overview

  • The BCCI, which announced the playoff plan Tuesday, set Qualifier 1 for Dharamsala on May 26, the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 for New Chandigarh on May 27 and 29, and the final for Ahmedabad on May 31.
  • Bengaluru lost the final after the board said local requirements exceeded its guidelines, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia citing a 15% complimentary ticket cap that he alleged the KSCA tried to exceed.
  • A season-long row over complimentary passes for Karnataka MLAs and a police case on alleged ticket black‑marketing in Bengaluru added pressure on hosting plans at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
  • The KSCA said it was ready to host and voiced disappointment over the reassignment, a call that also strips Royal Challengers Bengaluru of a potential home final and limits local fans’ access to the marquee game.
  • Narendra Modi Stadium’s far larger capacity and recent record of staging finals offered simpler ticket distribution, while last year’s deadly stampede during RCB celebrations kept scrutiny on Bengaluru’s crowd management.