Chinnaswamy Stadium Reportedly Denied IPL Hosting Rights, Ahmedabad to Host Once Again

Dramatically, the 2026 IPL final will now take place at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Although Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium was slated to host the summit match, it has been denied, resulting in the title clash being moved back to the venue where it was played last summer.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium has remained in discussion since the deadly stampede in July 2025, which tragically killed 11 people and injured hundreds more. The incident took place outside the stadium after massive crowds gathered to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL triumph.

Following investigations, the stadium was deemed ‘unsafe’ and was prohibited from hosting major events for a full year. The venue was only permitted to host the IPL this summer following infrastructure improvements and renovations.

Bengaluru was poised to host at least two out of the four IPL 2026 playoff games, including the final. A long-standing tradition has been that the defending champions receive the hosting rights for the playoff fixtures and the title clash.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India, in a statement, confirmed that the Chinnaswamy Stadium had its hosting rights revoked, attributing the decision to ‘operational’ and ‘logistical’ factors.

🚨 STATEMENT FROM BCCI 🚨

Bengaluru was originally designated to host the Final. However, owing to certain requirements from the local association & authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI's established guidelines and protocols, the venue has been shifted and reassigned. pic.twitter.com/EFXfyohv9I

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 6, 2026

Moreover, the BCCI has also denied Bengaluru the right to host an eliminator or qualifier game due to a disagreement with the Karnataka State Cricket Association. The official statement declared that the final had to be shifted out as the board felt the KSCA’s requirements were beyond the scope of its protocols. The BCCI designated this as a ‘special case’ and confirmed that the 2026 IPL final would be held in Ahmedabad, Qualifier 1 in Dharamshala, and the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 in New Chandigarh.

🚨 IPL 2026 FINAL AT THE NARENDRA MODI STADIUM. 🚨

– Qualifier 1 in Dharamshala.

– Eliminator and Qualifier 2 in Mullanpur.

– Final snatched from Chinnaswamy due to Karnataka MLA’s ticket scene. (Abhishek Tripathi). pic.twitter.com/A1aeho28vt

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 6, 2026

This sudden shift, as reports suggest, might also be due to the IPL ticket controversy. Karnataka legislators had publicly requested complimentary IPL tickets, asserting that they were ‘VIPs’ who should not be required to wait in queues like fans. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was forced to step in, and a resolution was reached; all MLAs, MLCs, and MPs would be given three tickets each.

Karnataka MLAs/MLCs have embarrassed themselves and the legislature by demanding passes and a set number of tickets to watch IPL. Sense of entitlement and arrogance. Why should they be given a ticket or pass? They can demand that the sale of tickets should be transparent and…

— DP SATISH (@dp_satish) March 26, 2026

This administrative ‘mess’ is being seen as the reason behind the BCCI’s decision to shift the IPL final out of the Chinnaswamy. The KSCA expressed its disappointment at being overlooked, disclosing that it were fully prepared to host the playoffs. 

IPL 2026: Dominant CSK secure season ‘double’ over DC, following eight-wicket win

Chennai Super Kings have managed to get their 2026 IPL campaign back on track, overcoming an initial three-game losing streak. The Men in Yellow delivered a powerful performance with both the bat and the ball, securing an eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals last night.

CSK has strengthened its bid for a top-four spot, currently sitting in sixth place with 10 points from 10 matches, including 5 wins and 5 losses. The victory also meant that CSK successfully completed a season sweep against DC in their two encounters this year. DC, after opting to bat first in Delhi, were restricted to a first-innings total of 155-runs, with Sameer Rizvi top-scoring with 40 runs off 24 balls. 

Chennai’s spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad reigned supreme, as they finished with combined figures of 3/41 in the seven overs that they bowled between them. The visitors’ chase was spearheaded by Sanju Samson, who scored an unbeaten 87 off 52 balls, to take his team over the line in 17.3 overs. He received support from Kartik Sharma (41* off 31), as the duo brought up an unbeaten 114-run stand.

#IPL2026 #DCvsCSK 🏏

➡️CSK dominated DC on and off the field
➡️Delhi’s batting faltered again
➡️Poor home form and inconsistent pitches have left DC’s playoff hopes slim@tanujlakhina ✍️https://t.co/uqzU9Iknpu

— TOI Sports (@toisports) May 6, 2026

Nonetheless, the focus will now shift towards CSK’s upcoming games, with the Men in Yellow next taking on LSG at home, on May 10. DC, on the other hand, having fallen behind in the playoffs race, will be aiming to return to winning ways against KKR on May 8.

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