The move to bring the IPL 2026 final from Bengaluru back to Narendra Modi Stadium has once again sparked a lot of discussion about why this ground tends to get the bigger games when it comes to Indian cricket.
According to an official announcement by the BCCI, there are administrative and operational reasons for the move of the RCB matches from Bengaluru to the Modi Stadium. Local authorities in Bengaluru have not followed required processes in relation to the protocols that have been established.
In addition to previous problems with crowd behaviour, safety of those attending matches and public confidence while at the Chinnaswamy Stadium during the last season’s RCB game, these are the reasons why Bengaluru has moved the match to Delhi.
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Another part of the evidence for this growing trend is the venue of all major Indian cricketing events (ICC and IPL) has been chosen as Ahmedabad.
Narendra Modi Stadium Established As Default Venue for Indian Cricket
The IPL 2026 Final will mark the fourth time the Narendra Modi Stadium has hosted an IPL championship over the past five years. Since its renovation and reopening in 2021, no other stadium has hosted more playoff games than this one in the last five years.
Ahmedabad has hosted more than eight IPL playoff games compared with iconic stadiums such as Eden Gardens in Kolkata or Chepauk in Chennai over this span of time.
Considering all these matches have occurred at the same location, many fans and analysts have questioned why all major cricket events continue to be held at Narendra Modi Stadium rather than multiple historic locations across India.
Why Ahmedabad Keeps Winning the Hosting Race
It cannot be denied that the Narendra Modi Stadium provides natural strengths that tend to draw both administrators and the broadcast media.
The stadium:
- Can accommodate more than 100,000 spectators
- Has excellent infrastructure
- Has good connectivity and accommodation
- Is aesthetically impressive in its global television broadcasts
It is these aspects that make Ahmedabad a commercially appealing choice for high-profile events.
The venue has already hosted:
- The 2023 ODI World Cup final
- The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup final
- Multiple India vs England Test matches
- The high-profile India vs Pakistan World Cup clash
Ahmedabad has solidified its place as one of India’s premier venues for international cricket and will see that stature further rise with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test between India and Australia.
However, many critics are questioning whether these types of high-profile matches should only be played at Ahmedabad or if there should be a more equitable distribution of major matches throughout India.
Some have stated that traditional venues may be losing out to Ahmedabad due to the increasing number of high-profile matches that are being played in India.
For example:
The last time Eden Gardens hosted an India versus Australia Test was during the famous match in 2001, which is why Eden Gardens has not hosted a Test between these two teams since then.
England has not played a Test match in Kolkata since 2012. The 2026 Final of the IPL was originally awarded to the city of Bengaluru.
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Many people have said that, if Bengaluru was eliminated, Kolkata should’ve been the obvious substitution, especially since they didn’t have an opportunity last season to host a game because of weather & scheduling issues.
This is one of the many reasons as to why the discussion of how Modi Stadium receives all of the “big” matches continues to be one of the most widely discussed topics within cricket.
Ahmedabad’s Rise Goes Beyond Cricket
The city of Ahmedabad has recently become recognized as a global city due in part to its growth as an International Event Destination (IED).
Ahmedabad has been a centerpiece for many international events in the past few years including major international concerts, political events and large scale sporting events.
Notably British band Coldplay played two of their highest attended concerts to date, a total of more than 220,000 people attended the two shows in Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad’s New Stadium has more than just an International Event Destination, it is also a considerable political and symbolic venue; The Stadium was Inaugurated by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in 2020 and subsequently renamed after Modi.
There are also reasons for the city’s continued entrustment with marquee events, which include India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, along with its ambition to promote Ahmedabad as a major sporting and cultural center around the world.
Different Standards for Men’s and Women’s Cricket?
Interestingly, the approach of the BCCI in regards to women’s cricket is markedly different. While India has the largest stadium Narendra Modi Stadium, not a single match was played at Narendra Modi Stadium during the Women’s World Cup
On the contrary, the BCCI appears to have decided that women’s cricket is “too small” for major stadiums and that women’s cricket needs to be developed in smaller cities in order to grow.
In contrast, when scheduling men’s ICC events, the entire focus has been on the infrastructure of the venue, the branding of the venue and the overall presentation of the quality of the ground with Ahmedabad featuring extremely heavily in all discussions.
This contrast has made people continue to debate the reasons behind Narendra Modi Stadium being selected for important matches while other places with legendary reputations receive no such attention.
Is the overall venue diversity of Indian cricket being diminished?
Historically speaking, the many stadiums in India and the many different cultures of the fans have defined Indian cricket.
- Kolkata brought unmatched passion
- Chennai offered knowledgeable crowds
- Mumbai represented cricketing intensity
- Bengaluru created electric atmospheres
- Delhi added its own unique chaos
India’s cricket culture has always been influenced by the many cricket grounds that dot the landscape, rather than by a few major venues such as Lord’s or the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Ahmedabad certainly ranks as one of India’s top cricket venues, but concern is growing not around whether the Narendra Modi stadium should host major events, but instead whether Indian cricket has become overly reliant on it.
Why Narendra Modi Stadium Gets All Important Matches Remains a Growing Debate
There may be several reasons why Narendra Modi Stadium gets all major tournament matches. These reasons may be due to good sporting infrastructure, political and commercial visibility, and administrative convenience.
As Ahmedabad is continually dominating the hosting calendar, however, there are valid questions being raised about the fairness of this arrangement, how to achieve balance in the future and what will be the identity of Indian cricket.
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