BCCI bans smart glasses in IPL PMOA, penalties for non-compliance
Synopsis
The BCCI's anti-corruption unit has drawn a new line in the sand: smart glasses — capable of live-streaming, messaging, and video calls — are now banned inside the IPL's most secure zone. The move signals that cricket's integrity watchdog is racing to stay ahead of wearable tech that could hand bad actors an invisible edge inside the dressing room.
Key Takeaways
The BCCI ACSU has banned 'Smart Goggles' inside the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) for IPL 2026 .
The devices are classified as both an 'Audio/Video Recording Device' and a 'Communication Device' under PMOA Minimum Standards.
Players and support staff must deposit smart glasses with the Security Liaison Officer (SLO) on match days, alongside phones and smartwatches.
Failure to surrender the devices constitutes a formal breach of PMOA protocols and invites penalties.
The ban follows reports that companies were actively marketing high-tech eyewear to IPL players and team staff.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has issued a formal directive strictly prohibiting the possession and use of 'Smart Goggles' — high-tech eyewear with embedded communication capabilities — within the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) during IPL 2026 matches. The ban, communicated to all IPL franchises, comes after the watchdog found certain companies actively marketing such devices to players and team support staff.
Why the Ban Was Imposed
According to the internal ACSU communication, these wearable devices are equipped with features that pose a direct threat to the tournament's anti-corruption framework. The directive notes that the eyewear carries live-streaming capability, the ability to send and receive text messages, and supports audio and video calling via mobile data or Wi-Fi networks.
Under PMOA Minimum Standards, such devices are classified simultaneously as both an 'Audio/Video Recording Device' and a 'Communication Device' — two categories already subject to strict prohibition inside the secure zone.
What Players and Staff Must Do
The ACSU has mandated that all players and support staff deposit smart goggles with the Security Liaison Officer (SLO) upon entering the PMOA on match days, alongside their mobile phones and smartwatches. Secure storage boxes are to be made available at every PMOA entrance to facilitate compliance.
'All players and support staff are directed to deposit such devices with the Security Liaison Officer (SLO), along with their mobile phones and smartwatches, upon entering the PMOA on match days,' the directive stated.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The ACSU has warned that any failure to surrender smart eyewear will be treated as a formal breach of PMOA protocols. 'Failure to deposit such devices shall be deemed a breach of the PMOA protocols and may result in penalties under the PMOA Minimum Standards for IPL 2026,' the communication concluded. The directive does not specify the exact nature of penalties but signals that enforcement will be strict.
How the PMOA Works
The PMOA is a restricted zone within IPL venues, accessible only to players, player support staff, match officials, match official support personnel, and a limited number of specifically accredited individuals. Every entrance is manned by security staff at all times.
Existing anti-corruption rules already bar mobile phones and other electronic communication equipment from the PMOA, with narrow exceptions: the team manager may use a phone inside the dressing room but not in the dugout, and the team analyst may operate a computer at the designated analyst table. Accredited support staff — including dressing room attendants, IPL Match Managers, and catering personnel — are also barred from carrying communication devices into the area.
The extension of these rules to smart eyewear reflects the BCCI's recognition that anti-corruption protocols must keep pace with rapidly evolving consumer technology. With IPL 2026 still ongoing, how franchises and players respond to the new directive will be closely watched.
Point of View
Not proactive — the ban came only after companies were already marketing these devices to players, which raises questions about how long the gap existed. Smart eyewear with live-streaming capability inside a dressing room is not a theoretical threat; it is a ready-made tool for real-time pitch or strategy leaks. The ACSU's broader challenge is that consumer wearables are evolving faster than tournament rulebooks, and today's banned gadget is tomorrow's mainstream accessory. Without a dedicated technology-monitoring function that flags emerging devices before they reach players, the BCCI will always be one product cycle behind.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the BCCI banned smart glasses inside the IPL PMOA?
The BCCI's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit banned smart glasses because the devices carry live-streaming, messaging, and audio-video calling capabilities that pose a direct threat to IPL anti-corruption protocols. The ban was triggered after companies were found marketing such eyewear to players and team support staff.
What must IPL players do with smart glasses on match days?
Players and support staff must deposit smart goggles with the Security Liaison Officer upon entering the PMOA, along with their mobile phones and smartwatches. Secure storage boxes are provided at every PMOA entrance for this purpose.
What happens if a player fails to hand over smart glasses?
Failure to deposit the device is classified as a breach of PMOA protocols under the PMOA Minimum Standards for IPL 2026 and may result in formal penalties, according to the ACSU directive.
What other devices are already banned inside the IPL PMOA?
Mobile phones and all electronic communication equipment are generally prohibited inside the PMOA. Exceptions include the team manager's phone (dressing room only, not the dugout) and the team analyst's computer at the analyst table. Accredited support staff such as dressing room attendants and catering personnel are also barred from bringing communication devices into the area.
What is the PMOA in IPL cricket?
The Players and Match Officials Area is a strictly controlled zone within IPL venues accessible only to players, support staff, match officials, and a limited number of specifically accredited individuals. Every entrance is staffed by security personnel at all times to enforce accreditation and device protocols.
