Virat Kohli and M. Chinnaswamy Stadium [Source: AFP]The ongoing IPL 2026 season has taken an unexpected turn for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and their home venue, the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Initially, Bengaluru was expected to host the IPL 2026 final along with one playoff match. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later shifted the summit clash to Ahmedabad. As a result, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has now announced a major redevelopment project for the stadium.Bengaluru Lost IPL 2026 Final Hosting RightsEarlier, the IPL had scheduled the final on May 31 in Bengaluru. Nevertheless, in the middle of the tournament on May 8, the BCCI confirmed that Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium would host the final instead. In addition, Dharamshala and Mullanpur were selected for the remaining playoff matches.It is important to note that Qualifier 1 will now be held at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, while the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 are scheduled in Mullanpur. Notably, the announcement shocked many fans because Bengaluru had originally been awarded the hosting rights after RCB won the previous edition of the tournament.According to the IPL authorities, the decision was taken due to “certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols.”Ticket Controversy Raises QuestionsMeanwhile, the controversy surrounding complimentary IPL tickets also became a major talking point. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia explained that Chinnaswamy Stadium lost the playoff hosting rights after concerns emerged regarding a “higher-than-normal” demand for complimentary tickets from the Karnataka State Cricket Association.Before the IPL 2026 opener between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar had suggested that every MLA should receive at least five IPL tickets. He argued that elected representatives are “VIPs” and should not have to wait in queues for tickets.Subsequently, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that three tickets for RCB matches would be provided to MLAs and MPs. This triggered allegations of ticket misuse across political and cricket circles.However, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara rejected those allegations. He clarified that the RCB match tickets were booked online and attended only by those who purchased them. Furthermore, he stated that the tickets were “non-transferable” and mostly used by MLAs or their family members.Also Read: Travis Head Responds With 'Four-Word' Message After Direct Clash With Virat KohliKSCA Plans Massive Stadium RedevelopmentAmid the controversy, KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad confirmed that redevelopment work at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is already underway on Friday.The association is now aiming to increase the seating capacity of the stadium, which may have played a role in the BCCI’s decision to move the final.“One of the reasons why the IPL final was moved from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad could have been the seating capacity,” Prasad said during the launch event of the Maharaja Trophy and Maharani Trophy.He further revealed, “We had close to 28 architects - from across the globe - show interest in redesigning and redeveloping the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. We are in the process of shortlisting the final team of architects.”In addition, Prasad announced that new LED lights would be installed at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Cricket Stadium in Mysuru, and the KSCA Stadium in Hubballi.KSCA Expresses Disappointment After Losing Hosting RightsEarlier this month, KSCA officially expressed disappointment after Bengaluru lost not only the IPL final but also all playoff hosting rights. In its statement, the association clarified that it had communicated its readiness to host the matches and that all correspondence with the BCCI was purely operational.Although the exact reasons behind the venue change were never officially conveyed, KSCA stated that it respected the BCCI’s decision and remained committed to hosting major cricket events in the future.Also Read: IPL 2026: LSG vs PBKS Prediction, Match 68- Who Will Win Today?
