After IPL final snub, Karnataka announces new 80,000-seater stadium near Bengaluru

Just days after Bengaluru lost hosting rights for the IPL 2026 final, Karnataka has announced plans for a massive new international cricket stadium that could become India?s second-largest cricket venue. The move also comes amid growing discussions around the limitations of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, particularly its comparatively smaller seating capacity.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday laid the foundation stone for the proposed stadium at Suryanagar Phase 4 in Anekal Taluk near Bengaluru. The new venue is planned with a seating capacity of 80,000 and will form part of a larger sports complex being developed by the Housing Department and Karnataka Housing Board.

The timing of the announcement has immediately drawn attention because it comes only days after the BCCI shifted the IPL 2026 final away from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad?s



Narendra Modi Stadium.

KSCA president and former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad had earlier admitted that Chinnaswamy Stadium?s limited capacity may have played a role in the decision.

?One of the reasons that the finals was moved out from this venue probably is the capacity of the stadium,? Prasad had said during an event in Bengaluru.

The IPL had originally allocated the May 31 final to Bengaluru before reassigning the summit clash to Ahmedabad. Officially, the BCCI cited ?certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI?s established guidelines and protocols.?

However, reports around logistical concerns, crowd management issues and political controversy surrounding ticket allocation had increasingly built up around the Bengaluru venue during the season.