New Delhi, May 6
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced that Ahmedabad will host the final of the Indian Premier League 2026 on May 31, replacing Bengaluru as the originally designated venue.
In an official statement, the board said the venue shift was necessitated by certain requirements from local authorities in Bengaluru that were outside its established protocols, though it did not disclose further details.
The title clash will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium, which has hosted multiple IPL finals.
In a notable development, Dharamsala will host its first-ever IPL playoff match, staging Qualifier 1 on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium. The match will feature the top two teams from the league stage, with the winner securing a direct berth in the final.
The remaining playoff fixtures will be held in New Chandigarh. The Eliminator between the third and fourth-placed teams is scheduled for May 27, followed by Qualifier 2 on May 29, which will decide the second finalist.
While the BCCI did not officially comment on the rationale behind Ahmedabad’s selection, sources indicated that seating capacity played a key role. The Narendra Modi Stadium offers significantly higher capacity compared to Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The revised arrangement spreads the playoff stage across three cities, marking a strategic shift to accommodate logistical needs and maximise audience reach.
