The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has agreed to provide two tickets to each MLA for the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the city’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Friday.
The announcement came a day after MLAs objected to being asked to buy tickets online for matches. Next, spokesman Uta Khader asked the government to ensure that every MLA gets four VIP tickets.
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Early on Friday, KSCA president Venkatesh Prasad met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, and also interacted with the legislators.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match of IPL 2026 in Bengaluru on March 28.
Taking note of the request, Shivakumar said, “The Speaker has asked for four tickets, but the tickets have already been sold out. There is not much time now, and there are more members… I have now asked for two tickets so that they can take family members.”
He added that actors usually get one ticket each.
“I called them, spoke to them and told them to give one more (ticket) (to the MLAs). I will talk to them in future as well. Earlier, they used to give one ticket. Now I have asked them to give two tickets. They agreed. I have spoken to both RCB and KSCA,” Shivakumar said.
Lawmakers will now also have access to the stadium’s designated grandstand. Officials noted that senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary, were involved in the negotiations with the KSCA.
The Karnataka State Assembly has a total of 224 members and there are 28 MPs from the state.
This demand was expressed publicly for the first time by Congress legislator Vijayanand Kashapanavar. He said: “We are VIPs. We cannot stand in queues. Last time, they forced us to stand in line and we were sent to sit in the public balcony with the public. This is unacceptable. There must be some respect.”
Some lawmakers also targeted the performance of the cricket body. Ashoka questioned why the association had an excise licence, saying: “They have permission to play cricket. Why did you give them an excise licence? If you tighten this, they will shut up and queue.”
However, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticized the MLAs for “demanding tickets” for the grand event. “The political class that views power as an entitlement, not a responsibility, must go. The system in which privilege and arrogance are stooped must go… If this doesn’t bother us, nothing will bother us. India deserves better. Whatever it is worth, I stand with Venkatesh Prasad. I know millions will,” he said.
