This is a major update for IPL fans! The IPL 2026 final will be played in Ahmedabad instead of Bengaluru on May 31. The decision comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India dropped M Chinnaswamy Stadium, home of defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Keep reading to know why this decision was taken and what it means for fans.
Ahmedabad To Host IPL 2026 Final
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is all set to host the IPL 2026 final match for the fourth time in five years. According to The Indian Express, the decision came after the BCCI unveiled the Playoffs schedule for the 2026 edition. The knockouts will be held across three venues in May 2026. However, the board has now dropped Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the home venue of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and replaced it with Ahmedabad.
Reportedly, Bengaluru was supposed to host the final. But due to certain operational requirements from authorities that were beyond the BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols, the venue was changed. The BCCI also confirmed that Qualifier 1 will be played in Dharamshala, while the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 will take place in New Chandigarh before the final in Ahmedabad.
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What It Means For Fans
According to Deccan Herald, this will be the second year in a row and the fourth time overall for Ahmedabad to host the IPL final. The city hosted the final last year and also in 2022 and 2023. The decision also goes against the IPL convention of hosting the final at the home ground of the reigning champions.
This is why fans expected the final to be held in Bengaluru, home of last year’s title winners, RCB. Fans who had planned their travel to Bengaluru to watch the match will now have to change their plans. They will have to head to Ahmedabad to witness the title clash.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Virat Kohli/ Instagram and @AhmedGT_/X