Karnataka State Cricket Association Requested 10,000 Extra Tickets: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated on Thursday why Bengaluru was not selected to host the IPL 2026 final. Board Secretary Devjit Saikia revealed that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had demanded several complimentary tickets exceeding the allocate quota.
While the other playoff matches are scheduled to be held in Dharamshala and New Chandigarh, the final match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Speaking to the news agency ANI, Saikia explained that, according to IPL regulations, a host association is entitled to receive only 15 percent of the stadium’s total seating capacity in the form of complimentary tickets.
Saikia said, “Under IPL protocols, we are required to allocate only 15 percent of the total seating capacity to the host association as complimentary tickets.” This is a fixed protocol; all host state associations receive 15 percent of their total capacity in the form of complimentary tickets.”
Karnataka State Cricket Association was Demanding Several Tickets
He further stated that the BCCI had received reports indicating that the Karnataka State Cricket Association was demanding several tickets far exceeding the prescribed limit during the IPL league matches. Saikia said, “However, we received information from several sources that while hosting the IPL league matches, the Karnataka State Association was demanding several free tickets far exceeding the stipulated 15 percent quota.”
According to Saikia, the BCCI subsequently wrote to the Karnataka State Cricket Association, seeking detailed information regarding this matter. He noted that the Board was taken aback by the response it received on May 2.
Saikia said, “Following this, we sent them an email requesting precise details regarding the issue. When we received a response via email from the Karnataka State Cricket Association on May 2, we were astonished; in that email, they stated that, over and above the 15 percent quota for complimentary tickets, they would require a substantial number of additional tickets for their members, affiliated clubs, and other individuals.”
He added, “Most surprisingly, they had also demanded tickets for their local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs). Furthermore, a demand was made for 700 complimentary tickets specifically for the Karnataka government. Thus, in addition to the fixed 15 percent quota, they were demanding approximately 10,000 extra tickets.”
In March, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had announced that every MLA would receive three complimentary tickets for IPL matches, while two complimentary tickets would be provided for international matches, with the option to purchase two additional tickets also being available. This announcement was made following discussions held with representatives of the KSCA.
This issue was also raised by MLAs within the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, who lodged complaints regarding ticket allocation and seating arrangements at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Subsequently, Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader directed the government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets for matches held at the stadium.
