KSCA's demand for 10K extra tickets led to IPL knockouts shift – BCCI secretary

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said that the IPL 2026 playoff and final match were not given to Bengaluru – the home venue of the defending champions, because of KSCA's demand for 10,000 additional tickets during league matches. As per IPL protocol, all state associations are allocated 15% of the total seating at their venues as complimentary tickets.

The Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru was supposed to host one of the playoff fixture and the final but the BCCI opted to assign the Qualifier 1 to Dharamsala, Q2 and Eliminator to New Chandigarh and final to Ahmedabad. A day after this schedule was announced, when KSCA expressed their disappointment at missing out, Saikia explained why BCCI had to take that 'difficult decision'.

"As per IPL protocol, we are required to provide only 15% of the total seating capacity as complimentary tickets to the host association," Saikia said. "However, we received information from various sources indicating that during the hosting of IPL league matches, KSCA was claiming a significantly higher number of complimentary tickets, far exceeding the stipulated 15%."

When the BCCI wrote to KSCA to find out what was going on, they received a request for excess – a total of 10,000 additional tickets over and above the 15%.

"Consequently, we sent them an email requesting precise details regarding this matter. We were shocked when we received a response via email from the Karnataka State Cricket Association on May 2nd; in that email, they stated that over and above the 15% complimentary ticket quota, they would require an additional, substantial allocation of tickets for their members, affiliated clubs and various others. Most surprisingly, they also requested tickets for their local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs).

"And also to the government of Karnataka, 700 complimentary tickets. Thus, over and above the 15% allocation, they were demanding approximately 10,000 additional tickets. And as you are all aware, the BCCI serves as the host body for the playoff and final matches. Therefore, we cannot violate our protocol by issuing tickets in excess of what is permitted under the IPL's rules and regulations, specifically, the 15% complimentary quota allocated to the host state."