IPL final shifted to Ahmedabad: Shivakumar alleges Gujarat influence, vows Karnataka won't lose again
Synopsis
Karnataka's Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar has alleged that Gujarat's political clout cost Bengaluru the IPL 2026 final — a match RCB, as defending champions, were conventionally entitled to host. With a ticket-for-legislators controversy at the centre, the episode exposes how state politics can derail sporting events and leaves Karnataka fans asking who really called the shots.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar alleged on 1 June that Gujarat used political influence to shift the IPL 2026 final from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad .
The Karnataka government had reportedly granted all necessary permissions for the match to be held at M.
Chinnaswamy Stadium .
The BCCI cited requirements from local authorities and the KSCA that exceeded its guidelines as the reason for the venue change.
Reports indicate the controversy was triggered by a demand for approximately 900 complementary tickets for MLAs and MLCs from the Karnataka government.
Shivakumar pledged to strengthen Karnataka's position to prevent similar losses of major sporting events in the future.
RCB were the defending champions and were conventionally entitled to host the final under IPL rules.
Karnataka Congress President and Chief Minister-designate D.K. Shivakumar on Monday, 1 June alleged that political influence from Gujarat was behind the shifting of the IPL 2026 final from Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, depriving the state of hosting cricket's most-watched domestic fixture. Shivakumar made the remarks at his residence in Bengaluru, while also congratulating Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on their campaign.
What Shivakumar Alleged
'Those from Gujarat used their influence and snatched away the match from us by shifting it to Ahmedabad,' Shivakumar told reporters, asserting that the Karnataka state government had already granted all necessary permissions for the fixture to be held in Bengaluru. He described the development as an injustice to both the state's cricket infrastructure and its fans.
'It is an injustice to the stadium we have here and also to the youngsters. The cricket final was supposed to be played here, but they did not allow it and shifted it to Ahmedabad. Naturally, many young fans are disappointed that they could not witness the final in Bengaluru,' he said.
Karnataka's Commitment to Hosting Future Events
Shivakumar pledged that the state would take concrete steps to prevent such losses in the future. 'We are making preparations so that such matches are not taken away from Karnataka in the future. It may take some time, but we are committed to strengthening our position,' he said. He added that Karnataka would continue to play a major role in Indian cricket, stating, 'The future is again with Karnataka.'
Why the Final Was Moved — The BCCI's Position
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that the venue was shifted due to requirements raised by local authorities and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) that were beyond the board's established guidelines and protocols. The controversy intensified after reports emerged that the Karnataka government had directed the KSCA to provide complementary tickets to legislators — reportedly around 900 tickets for MLAs and MLCs, along with additional government allocations. Critics argue the ticket demand triggered the BCCI's decision to relocate the final.
Notably, under IPL convention, the defending champions host the title clash — making Bengaluru the natural venue given RCB's status. The shift, coming so close to the event, drew sharp reactions from fans and political figures alike.
RCB Congratulated Despite the Controversy
Setting aside the venue dispute, Shivakumar praised RCB for their performance. 'The RCB team, which is identified as Karnataka's team, has played exceptionally well. On behalf of the people of Karnataka and RCB supporters across the state, I congratulate the players and wish them continued success,' he said. He also struck a conciliatory note on past differences: 'Whatever happened in the past, we have forgotten and moved towards a new beginning.'
The episode has reignited a broader debate about the intersection of state politics and cricket administration in India, and whether legislative demands on sporting bodies can cost host cities their marquee events.
Point of View
At the cost of Bengaluru's fans. Shivakumar's allegation of Gujarat influence may resonate politically in Karnataka, but it sidesteps the inconvenient question of whether the ticket demand precipitated the crisis. The BCCI, for its part, has escaped scrutiny over the opacity of its venue-change process. Until cricket's governing body publishes transparent criteria for such decisions, allegations of political interference — from any direction — will continue to fill the vacuum.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the IPL 2026 final shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad?
The BCCI stated the venue was changed because local authorities and the KSCA raised requirements that were beyond the board's established guidelines and protocols. Reports indicate the trigger was a Karnataka government directive asking the KSCA to provide around 900 complementary tickets to MLAs and MLCs.
What did D.K. Shivakumar allege about the IPL final shift?
Shivakumar alleged that political influence from Gujarat was used to shift the IPL 2026 final from Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. He called it an injustice to Karnataka's cricket infrastructure and its fans, particularly young supporters.
Was RCB entitled to host the IPL final?
Yes. Under IPL convention, the defending champions host the title clash. Since RCB were the defending champions, Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was the natural venue for the IPL 2026 final before the BCCI relocated it to Ahmedabad.
What steps is Karnataka planning to avoid losing major matches in future?
Shivakumar said the state government is making preparations to strengthen Karnataka's position as a host for major sporting events, though he did not specify exact measures. He acknowledged it may take some time but expressed commitment to the goal.
How did Shivakumar respond to RCB's IPL campaign despite the controversy?
Shivakumar congratulated RCB on their campaign, calling the team a source of pride for Karnataka. He said the players performed exceptionally well and urged them to be proud of their achievement, adding that Karnataka had moved past earlier differences toward a new beginning.
