Ahmedabad to Host 2026 IPL Final After Venue Shift

Key facts

• Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium will host the 2026 IPL final.
• The venue was shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad by the BCCI.
• Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium has hosted three previous IPL finals (2022, 2023, 2025).
• Chennai's Chepauk Stadium has hosted three IPL finals (2011, 2012, 2024).
• Dubai hosted back-to-back IPL finals in 2020 and 2021.
• Mumbai Indians have won two IPL finals at Eden Gardens (2013, 2015).
• Kolkata Knight Riders won the 2014 final at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
• SunRisers Hyderabad won the 2016 final at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Ahmedabad Secures 2026 IPL Final

The Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad is set to host the 2026 Indian Premier League final, a decision that shifts the marquee event from its originally planned venue. This marks the stadium's fourth appearance as an IPL final host, underscoring its prominence in the league's history. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the determination to move the final to Ahmedabad, a departure from the initial schedule that had earmarked Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the 2026 championship match. The Ahmedabad venue has a recent track record of hosting the IPL's biggest game, having staged the finals in 2022, 2023, and 2025. This consistent selection highlights its capacity and appeal for such a high-stakes fixture.

A History of IPL Finals Venues

Beyond Ahmedabad's upcoming role, several other iconic cricket grounds have played host to the IPL's grand finale. The Chepauk Stadium in Chennai stands as another venue with a significant history, having hosted three IPL finals in 2011, 2012, and 2024. These Chennai finals saw notable outcomes, including the Chennai Super Kings clinching the title in 2011. The following year, the Kolkata Knight Riders emerged victorious against the Chennai Super Kings, and in 2024, the Knight Riders defeated the SunRisers Hyderabad at the same ground. Kolkata's Eden Gardens and Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium share the distinction of having hosted two IPL finals each. Eden Gardens hosted in 2013 and 2015, with Mumbai Indians triumphing on both occasions, notably against the Chennai Super Kings. M Chinnaswamy Stadium hosted finals in 2014 and 2016, with the Kolkata Knight Riders and SunRisers Hyderabad claiming the titles respectively.

Navi Mumbai and Hyderabad's Final Appearances

Navi Mumbai's stadium, the site of the inaugural IPL final in 2008, has also been a venue for two championship matches. The stadium witnessed the Rajasthan Royals secure victory in the league's first-ever final, and two years later, in 2010, the Chennai Super Kings won their maiden IPL title there, defeating the Mumbai Indians. The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad has hosted two IPL finals, in 2017 and 2019. Mumbai Indians were the champions in both these contests. They overcame the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017 and secured a dramatic victory against rivals Chennai in a closely fought 2019 final. These multiple hosting duties reflect the evolving landscape of the IPL and the strategic importance of various grounds across India for its premier event.

International Stages for the IPL

The IPL has also ventured beyond Indian borders to host its finals, with Dubai taking centre stage on two consecutive occasions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. These matches were held in the United Arab Emirates due to prevailing circumstances. During this period, the Mumbai Indians secured their fifth IPL title in 2020, defeating Delhi in a one-sided final. The following year, Chennai Super Kings claimed their fourth title, emerging victorious against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The use of international venues underscores the league's global reach and its adaptability in ensuring the tournament's continuity.

Single-Final Venues and Historical Firsts

A select group of venues have had the honour of hosting an IPL final just once. These include Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, which hosted the 2018 final where the Chennai Super Kings marked their return to the league by winning the championship. South Africa's Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg holds the distinction of hosting the 2009 final. In that match, the Deccan Chargers, now known as the SunRisers Hyderabad, defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore to lift the trophy. These singular events, while fewer in number, represent significant moments in the IPL's narrative, contributing to the rich tapestry of its history.

The bottom line

• The 2026 IPL final will be held at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.
• The BCCI's decision moved the final venue from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad.
• Ahmedabad's stadium has previously hosted IPL finals in 2022, 2023, and 2025.
• Chennai's Chepauk Stadium has hosted three IPL finals, most recently in 2024.
• Dubai hosted back-to-back IPL finals in 2020 and 2021.
• Mumbai Indians have won multiple finals at Eden Gardens and Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.