Just days after Bengaluru lost hosting rights for the IPL 2026 final, the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium is now set for a major redevelopment project. KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad admitted that the venue’s limited capacity may have played a role in the BCCI shifting the IPL final to Ahmedabad.
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Prasad said the redevelopment process had already begun well before the BCCI decided to move the IPL 2026 final away from Bengaluru.
“One of the reasons that the finals was moved out from this venue probably is the capacity of the stadium. Obviously this process had started before that,” Prasad said.
Prasad also revealed that the response to KSCA’s global expression of interest for the redevelopment project had been overwhelming, with multiple internationally experienced architects showing interest in redesigning the venue.
“Around 28 architects had shown interest. We have now shortlisted around eight firms and will further narrow it down to three or four who will submit conceptual designs,” he added.
WHY DID BENGALURU LOSE IPL 2026 FINAL?
The IPL had originally allotted the May 31 final to Bengaluru before the BCCI reassigned the summit clash to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Officially, the IPL cited “certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols.”
However, the controversy surrounding Bengaluru had been building for weeks.
Earlier in the season, Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar had publicly demanded complimentary IPL tickets for elected representatives, arguing that MLAs were “VIPs” and should not stand in queues like regular fans.
The issue quickly escalated politically and even required intervention from Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar before a compromise involving complimentary passes for legislators was reached.
Sources had also suggested that concerns regarding logistics, ticketing management and stadium capacity played a role in the BCCI’s final decision to move the playoffs and final away from Bengaluru.
The shift means Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will now host the IPL final for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
KSCA PLANS MAJOR CHINNASWAMY UPGRADE
Prasad said the redevelopment project would go beyond just increasing capacity and would focus heavily on improving overall fan experience.
He highlighted several initiatives introduced by the current KSCA administration during IPL 2026, including:
Improved crowd management
Dedicated holding areas for spectators
Better ingress and egress systems
Enhanced security arrangements
Prasad also pointed towards KSCA’s integration of public transport with match ticketing during the IPL season, calling it a model that could be replicated in other Indian cities as well.
The former India pacer further announced a major lighting upgrade project involving the installation of sports LED floodlights at:
- M Chinnaswamy Stadium
- SDNRW Stadium
- Rajnagar Stadium
According to Prasad, the upgraded lighting systems would significantly improve both playing conditions and fan experience across Karnataka’s cricket venues.
Earlier this month, KSCA had officially expressed disappointment after Bengaluru lost not just the IPL final but all playoff hosting rights despite initially being designated as the venue for the summit clash.
In its statement, KSCA clarified that it had formally communicated its readiness and willingness to host the playoff matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The association also said the communication sent to the BCCI was purely operational and intended to explain the framework under which IPL matches had been conducted in Bengaluru this season.
While the exact reasons behind the venue reshuffle were never formally communicated to KSCA, the association stated that it respected the BCCI’s decision and remained committed to hosting major cricket events in the future.
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