The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up to announce where the IPL 2026 playoffs and final will take place, but no one seems sure about the final’s venue yet. Sources say the playoffs will probably split between Punjab and Karnataka. The big issue? Bengaluru, which usually hosts the final when Royal Challengers Bengaluru are defending champs, is tangled in politics, especially demands for special MLA tickets. That’s throwing a wrench into the works.
Normally, whoever wins the previous season hosts the final. But right now, there’s a fuss about ticket distribution to politicians in Bengaluru. If people don’t sort things out, BCCI plans to shift the final someplace else.
This whole ticket mess kicked off before the IPL 2026 opener, when Congress MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar said every MLA should get at least five tickets for the IPL, calling themselves VIPs. He argued they shouldn’t be standing in queues. Karnataka’s Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar jumped in, promising three tickets for each MLA and MP for RCB matches.
After that, Home Minister G. Parameshwara tried to calm things down, saying tickets are bought online, and only MLAs or their families actually use them. He pointed out these tickets are non-transferable, so you won’t see relatives or friends slipping in with borrowed seats.
While all that drama’s happening off the field, the IPL 2026 points table is packed. As of May 5, Punjab Kings top the table with 13 points from nine matches, and their net run rate looks solid.
Right behind them, RCB, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Gujarat Titans are neck-and-neck with 12 points each. RCB leads that pack, thanks to net run rate.
Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have eight points each, still hanging onto playoff hopes but needing to find some consistency.
Kolkata Knight Riders are eighth with seven points—technically, they could still make it, but the odds aren’t in their favor.
Then you’ve got Mumbai Indians at the bottom, with six points from ten games, really struggling to break into the top four. Lucknow Super Giants are even worse off, stuck last with just four points. Their playoff dreams are pretty much over.
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