Explained: Why Royal Challengers Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy stadium could miss hosting IPL 2026 final
Explained: Why Royal Challengers Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy stadium could miss hosting IPL 2026 final originally appeared on Cricket News . Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . KEY TAKEAWAYS: BCCI may shift IPL 2026 final away from Bengaluru over MLA ticket row.
Playoffs likely to be split between Punjab and Karnataka venues. Political demands for free MLA tickets have created complications for Bengaluru. IPL 2026 final venue in doubt as political row threatens Bengaluru's hosting rights The BCCI is preparing to announce the venues for the IPL 2026 playoffs and final, but the process has been held up by an uncomfortable situation brewing in Karnataka.
Under normal circumstances, the decision would be straightforward; the defending champions traditionally host the final, which would point directly to Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium given Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title triumph last season. But nothing about this situation feels straightforward right now, and the BCCI has made clear that if the problem is not sorted, the final will be taken elsewhere.
MORE: Gavaskar lashes out at Bumrah as MI star's poor IPL 2026 form continued What did the BCCI say about IPL final venue? A source within the board told ANI that the playoff fixtures are expected to be distributed between Punjab and Karnataka. "The IPL 2026 playoff and final venues will be announced soon.
The matches are likely to be divided between Punjab and Karnataka. As per convention, the defending champions should host the final, but the MLA ticket issue is creating problems in Bengaluru. If there is no resolution, the BCCI will move the final to another city," the source told ANI.
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