Karnataka Deputy CM confirms ticket allocation for politicians for IPL 2026 opener

Former Indian cricketer and Karnataka State Cricket Association President, Venkatesh Prasad, met Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday ahead of the IPL 2026 opening match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Following the meeting, DK Shivakumar confirmed that each elected representative would receive two tickets for the IPL 2026 season opener on Saturday. The match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad will officially kick off the new season.

Earlier, Karnataka MLAs and MPs had raised concerns over the lack of VIP tickets, prompting discussions on protocol, entitlement, and the responsibilities of elected officials. The IPL 2026 season at the Chinnaswamy Stadium is set to begin on March 28 with this highly anticipated clash.

Also read -Watch: Congress MLA accuses KSCA of unfair ticket distribution ahead of IPL 2026

Controversy grows around IPL 2026 ticket distribution

The controversy began after Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Thursday asked the government to ensure that every MLA receives four VIP tickets for matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Members from different parties had complained that they were treated with "disrespect" by the Karnataka State Cricket Association, which manages the stadium.

Following the Speaker’s direction, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, "I will speak to Karnataka State Cricket Association officials and inform the House during the next Assembly session."

The ticket demand was criticised by opposition leader Tejasvi Surya, who said on X, "MLAs are prioritizing personal benefits over their legislative duties."

Addressing the issue, DK Shivakumar told the press, "Four tickets can't be given. So, every MLA, MP and Minister used to get one seat each. Now, we have requested them to give two tickets if the family members go. For tomorrow's first match, they will get two tickets. For the next match, we will discuss later."

He added, "I will speak to the President and others at KSCA. I want to see that our MLAs are accommodated. Today I'm on that job."

Fans react to political allocation ahead of opening match

Fans have expressed strong opinions on social media about the political allocation of VIP tickets for the IPL 2026 opening match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Many viewers criticized the decision, saying elected representatives should not take priority over genuine cricket fans. Some called it “unfair” and “a misuse of protocol,” while others debated whether MLAs and MPs really needed VIP access to enjoy the game. The discussion has sparked a wider conversation online about entitlement, fairness, and the role of politicians in public events, with fans closely watching how authorities handle the situation before the season opener.