![IPL final venue locked [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1778048760487_IPLfinalvenue.jpg?type=hq)
IPL final venue locked [Source: AFP]
In a significant development, it has been learnt that the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has been locked as the IPL 2026 final venue.
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has reportedly been stripped of the IPL final hosting rights, with the grand cricketing venue in Ahmedabad set to become the IPL 2026 final venue yet again.
The IPL 2026 playoffs comprise four matches- Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the final. As reported by Dainik Jagran, the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru won't host the final of the IPL 2026 edition, despite RCB being the defending champions of the tournament.
Ahmedabad locked as IPL 2026 final venue; No playoff clash at Chinnaswamy Stadium
According to a report by the Dainik Jagran, the Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2026 will be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.
Meanwhile, the Mullanpur Stadium will host the Qualifier and Eliminator contests, with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad set to become the IPL 2026 final venue.
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Thus, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which serves as RCB's home venue, won't get any match of the playoff stage.
The iconic sporting venue witnessed an infamous stampede incident hours after RCB's maiden title win under Rajat Patidar's leadership last season.
The unfortunate stampede cast doubts over Chinnaswamy Stadium's IPL hosting rights. The authorities implemented strict security guidelines and issued safety advisories for the local fans before the Karnataka Government allowed the KSCA to host matches in the 2026 IPL season.
Why did Chinnaswamy Stadium lose IPL playoff hosting rights?
However, the Chinnaswamy Stadium hasn't been ignored as the IPL 2026 final venue due to security reasons. As reported earlier, the BCCI was miffed at several Karnataka MLAs demanding free tickets and access to the cricketing venue for RCB's home matches.
Speaking to ANI, a BCCI source stated that the IPL 2026 final venue could be a stadium other than RCB's home ground, following several members of the Karnataka legislative assembly requesting a special favour.
As reported by Dainik Jagran, this is believed to be the reason the Chinnaswamy Stadium has lost its rights to host the IPL final.
Ahmedabad to host an IPL final for fourth time in 5 years
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosted an IPL final for the first time in 2022. As home side Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals to clinch the IPL 2022 title, the 2023 season finale was also played in Ahmedabad.
With CSK emerging victorious in the 2023 IPL final, the grand finale of the 2024 edition was hosted by the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
But despite KKR winning the IPL 2024, the final of the next edition was moved out of Kolkata due to inclement weather concerns, with Ahmedabad hosting the mega clash between RCB and Punjab Kings.
The Bengaluru-based team bagged its first-ever IPL trophy by winning the 2025 season finale; therefore, the Chinnaswamy Stadium deserved to host the IPL 2026 final.
However, as it stands, the ultimate fixture is reportedly relocated to Ahmedabad, with the Narendra Modi Stadium locked in as the IPL 2026 final venue.
Update: The BCCI eventually released the schedule of the IPL 2026 playoff matches, including the final. As reported above, Dharamsala was chosen as the venue for the Qualifier 1, with Mullanpur Stadium in New Chandigarh hosting the Eliminator and Qualifier 2. As expected, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was preferred as the IPL 2026 final venue over the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
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