IPL 2026: Karnataka Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar reacts to final shift from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad

Published - 06 May 2026, 17:28 IST | Updated - 06 May 2026, 17:34 IST

Karnataka Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar has acknowledged discussions around shifting the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad. At the start of the season, playoff venues had not been officially announced, though M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was considered the primary venue to host one playoff match and the final.

Bengaluru had been favoured largely because Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were the defending champions, having defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad during IPL 2025. Shivakumar stated that the proposed shift in venue was aimed at accommodating a larger crowd for the marquee event. He also denied allegations that IPL tickets were being distributed to MLAs.

The issue comes amid controversy over demands from Karnataka legislators for complimentary tickets. Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar had publicly argued that elected representatives, as VIPs, should receive at least five tickets each. In response, Shivakumar clarified that MLAs and MPs would be allotted three tickets each for RCB matches.

"The IPL final must have been shifted with the intention that there is a big stadium in Ahmedabad and more people will gather. There is nothing to do with the distribution of tickets to MLAs and the shifting of the final match. 50% will be reserved elsewhere,” said Shivakumar as quoted by News18.

He also defended the ticket allocation issue, noting that a 50% reservation system exists in other venues as well. The development is particularly notable because Shivakumar had earlier strongly asserted that IPL matches would not be moved out of Bengaluru, calling M. Chinnaswamy Stadium the pride of the city and the state.

While the BCCI has not clarified the exact requirements behind the venue change, the issue has already triggered a broader political debate in Karnataka, touching on governance, VIP culture, and the loss of a marquee cricket event for Bengaluru.

As per the revised schedule of the IPL 2026 playoffs, Qualifier 1 will be held on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium. The tournament will then move to the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will host the Eliminator on May 27 between the third- and fourth-placed teams, as well as Qualifier 2 on May 29. The final is scheduled to take place on May 31 in Ahmedabad.