Chinnaswamy Stadium In Trouble; BCCI To Move IPL Final Out Of Bengaluru If...

Chinnaswamy Stadium could lose IPl 2026 final hosting rights [Source: AFP]

In a concerning development, defending champions RCB could lose the rights to host the IPL 2026 final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium due to a serious political row over match tickets.

As per IPL rules, defending champions get to host the IPL final of the following season at their home venue. Hence, since RCB won their maiden title in 2025, the IPL 2026 final was scheduled to be held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

MLA tickets row to cost Chinnaswamy IPL final hosting rights

According to ANI, the BCCI may be forced to shift the IPL 2026 final out of Bengaluru due to an issue revolving around an MLA demanding free tickets to attend RCB games at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

For context, some MLAs from the Congress party demanded a fixed quota of tickets, arguing that public officials should receive privileged access to high-profile matches.

Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar later allowed three free tickets for MLAs and MPs. However, the move was criticised as politicians were accused of abusing their power. 

Although state leaders later clarified that tickets would be limited and non-transferable, the matter has not been fully resolved.

Now, according to the BCCI source, if the ticket issue is not resolved, the IPL 2026 final may be shifted to another city, and the Chinnaswamy Stadium will lose its hosting rights.

"IPL 2026 playoffs and final venue will be announced soon. Matches likely to be divided into Punjab and Karnataka, last time winner should host the final, but MLA ticket issue is creating problems in Bengaluru, and if there is no solution, then bcci will move the final to another city," a BCCI source told ANI.

This move could be devastating for RCB and the Chinnaswamy Stadium, as they are still recovering from the stampede incident that broke out last year.

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Chinnaswamy Stadium is already under scrutiny

That being said, the Chinnaswamy Stadium needs the hosting rights of the IPL 2026 final to revive its image because of the IPL 2025 stampede. During RCB’s title victory celebration, a stampede broke out outside the stadium, killing 11 fans.

Since then, Chinnaswamy wasn’t allowed to host any competitive match for a period of several months. Just days ahead of the IPL 2026 season, a review committee approved the stadium as safe, and only then were RCB allowed to play their home games in Bengaluru.

However, the MLA ticket issue is definitely not in the best interest of the Chinnaswamy Stadium. State leaders and the KSCA must work together to ensure the brand image of the city and the franchise is protected.

RCB emerging as serious title contenders

Coming back to cricket, RCB are again emerging as serious contenders to defend their title in IPL 2026. In 9 games, they won 6, and with 12 points, Bengaluru are seated at the second position on the points table, just below Punjab Kings.

RCB retained their core after the IPL 2025 title victory, and that decision turned out to be a wise move. The team is performing as a unit in all departments despite a couple of injury concerns.

That being said, RCB will next face LSG at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on May 7.

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