The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has expressed its disappointment at being overlooked as a host for the IPL 2026 playoffs and final, even as questions linger over the venue allocation by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In a detailed clarification issued on Wednesday (May 6), KSCA said it had formally communicated its "preparedness, willingness, and keen interest" in hosting the playoff matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with president Venkatesh Prasad personally engaging with the BCCI on the matter.
"At the outset, KSCA expresses its disappointment that the IPL Playoff matches have been allotted to other centres," the statement read, while underlining that Bengaluru had successfully conducted its slate of five league matches this season. "The IPL matches conducted in Bengaluru during the current season were widely appreciated for their smooth execution, crowd management, operational efficiency, and overall spectator experience."
The clarification follows the BCCI's decision to stage the playoffs in Dharamsala and Mullanpur - both home venues of last season's runners-up Punjab Kings - while awarding the final to Ahmedabad for the fourth time in the last five editions since the rebuilt Motera stadium came into use. Bengaluru, home of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, had been expected to host the final as per convention. It is worth noting, however, that even Hyderabad and Kolkata missed out on hosting playoff matches last year when the IPL resumed after a break due to the India-Pakistan conflict.
Explaining the move away from Bengaluru, the BCCI had stated earlier in the day: "Owing to certain operational and logistical considerations, the TATA IPL 2026 Playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season as a special case." It added that the shift was due to "certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI's established guidelines and protocols."
KSCA, however, stressed that its communication to the board was "purely factual, operational, and clarificatory in nature," aimed at providing "transparency and clarity regarding logistical and stakeholder-related requirements associated with hosting such high-profile matches." It also noted that the operational framework in Bengaluru has been "consistently followed since the inception of the IPL in 2008" and had been implemented uniformly this season, including during previous playoff fixtures hosted at the venue.
"Despite our preparedness and willingness to host the Playoffs, we understand that the BCCI has taken a decision to allot these matches to other venues. While the specific reasons for the same have not been formally communicated to KSCA, we fully respect the prerogative and decision-making authority of the BCCI in this regard," the statement added.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium, which had not hosted any matches following last year's stampede after RCB's victory parade, was cleared to stage IPL 2026 games after a successful safety review by government agencies ahead of the season. In fact, even the BCCI allocated two games - a T20I against Sri Lanka on October 17, 2026 and an ODI against West Indies on December 16, 2026 - to the venue for the upcoming international cricket season.
The conduct of the five league matches this year was largely smooth, barring some logistical complications arising from the state government's demand for VIP tickets for Members of the Legislative Assembly.
Meanwhile, KSCA reiterated its commitment to hosting marquee fixtures in the future, stating it "remains fully prepared and committed to hosting matches of national and international importance" and would continue to extend its "fullest support and co-operation" to the BCCI and other stakeholders.
