The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is keen to redevelop the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in order to increase the spectator capacity.
“One of the reasons why the IPL final was moved from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad could have been the seating capacity,” KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad said at the launch event of the Maharaja Trophy and Maharani Trophy here on Friday.
“We had close to 28 architects - from across the globe - show interest in redesigning and redeveloping the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. We are in the process of shortlisting the final team of architects,” Prasad said.
The former India pacer added that new LED lights will be installed at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Cricket Stadium (Mysuru) and KSCA Stadium (Hubballi).
The 2026 Maharaja Trophy, KSCA’s flagship T20 tournament, will be held in Mysuru and Hubballi. “Keeping in mind the condition of pitches, the tournament will be conducted in three phases. Phase one will be held in Mysuru, then we move to Hubballi, and come back to Mysuru for the final leg,” Santosh Menon, KSCA Hon. Secretary, said.
The six-team tournament will commence on June 20, and the final will be held on July 12.
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Each of the franchises can select between 16 to 18 players per squad, with two catchment area players. “To ensure that there is no compromise on the quality of players in this tournament, the pool of players will be picked by the KSCA selection committee. We will give franchises a pool of 130 to 150 players to pick their squads. Nobody outside of this pool will be allowed to participate in the tournament. Even the catchment area players have to undergo the scrutiny of the KSCA selection committee,” Santosh said.
This edition of the Maharaja Trophy features two new team owners - Mangaluru (owned by Klene Paks Ltd) and Shivamogga (owned ICS Mobile Pvt Ltd).
The Maharani Trophy women’s tournament will be a four-team affair, with other details expected to be announced in a few days.
2026 Maharaja Trophy teams (owners in brackets):
Hubballi (Jindal Steels), Mangaluru (Klene Paks Ltd), Shivamogga (ICS Mobile Pvt Ltd), Bengaluru (Kalyani Motors), Raichur (Micon Engineers Hubli Pvt Ltd), Mysore (Natural & Essential Oils Pvt Ltd).
Published on May 22, 2026