After BCCI’s snub to host IPL 2026 final, KSCA to increase seating capacity of M Chinnaswamy Stadium

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) allocating an exorbitant amount of complimentary tickets to the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) in Karnataka wasn’t the only reason behind the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) snatching away the hosting rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final from them.

Increase in M. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s seating capacity

KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad has hinted that M. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s seating capacity played a role in the BCCI’s decision to move the IPL 2026 final to the Narendra Modi Stadium. Currently, the Bengaluru Stadium can hold 40,000 spectators but was capped to 28,000 this season. Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad venue can hold an audience of 132,000.

Therefore, the KSCA is redeveloping the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to increase the spectator capacity. In the launch event for the Maharaja Trophy and Maharani Trophy on May 22, the former India fast bowler revealed that architects from all over the globe are being consulted, and the process will commence shortly.

“One of the reasons why the IPL final was moved from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad could have been the seating capacity. We had close to 28 architects – from across the globe – show interest in redesigning and redeveloping the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. We are in the process of shortlisting the final team of architects,” Prasad told reporters in Bengaluru.

Maharaja Trophy in Mysuru & Hubballi

KSCA will also install new Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Cricket Stadium in Mysuru, and KSCA Stadium in Hubballi. The 2026 edition of the Maharaja Trophy will be hosted in the latter two.

Since M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was suspended from hosting any events, last year the entire Maharaja Trophy was played in Mysuru. Although cricket has returned to Bengaluru, the stadium will undergo remodelling, and therefore, KSCA will divide the games between Mysuru and Hubballi.

“Keeping in mind the condition of pitches, the tournament will be conducted in three phases. Phase one will be held in Mysuru, then we move to Hubballi and come back to Mysuru for the final leg,” Santosh Menon, KSCA Secretary, said.

The six-team tournament will commence on June 20, and the final will be held on July 12. Two new owners, Mangaluru (owned by Klene Paks Ltd) and Shivamogga (owned by ICS Mobile Pvt. Ltd), will enter the league, with each franchise allowed to select 16 to 18 players, with two catchment area players. The Maharani Trophy will be a four-team affair, and the KSCA will provide further details about the tournament soon.

“To ensure that there is no compromise on the quality of players in this tournament, the pool of players will be picked by the KSCA selection committee. We will give franchises a pool of 130 to 150 players to pick their squads. Nobody outside of this pool will be allowed to participate in the tournament. Even the catchment area players have to undergo the scrutiny of the KSCA selection committee,” Santosh added.

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