BCCI Eyes Stadium for Duleep Trophy Final, Expands Live Coverage of Domestic Matches

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering moving the Duleep Trophy final from its Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru to a stadium, potentially opening the door for spectators to watch the domestic season’s first major title clash in person.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board would examine the possibility of shifting the final, acknowledging the restrictions that currently prevent spectators from entering the CoE campus.

The 2026-27 domestic season is scheduled to begin with the Duleep Trophy, which will be played from August 23 to September 10 at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. However, spectators are not permitted inside the premises because of government restrictions linked to the use of the land.

“There are some restrictions… that we cannot have a crowd in this campus. So, that is a government restriction. We cannot violate that,” Saikia said.

While only people closely associated with the teams may be allowed inside, the BCCI is attempting to give supporters greater access to domestic cricket through expanded television coverage.

Saikia revealed that the board has increased the number of domestic matches to be telecast live compared with last season, allowing fans to follow more matches and watch emerging and established players in action.

The Duleep Trophy has traditionally served as an important platform for players seeking to strengthen their claims for higher honours, making visibility of the tournament particularly significant for cricket followers.

Saikia said the board still has time to assess the venue for the final and would consider moving the title clash to a stadium if necessary.

For now, the BCCI's expanded live coverage is its primary step towards taking domestic cricket closer to fans, while a potential stadium switch for the Duleep Trophy final could provide an even bigger boost to the tournament's spectator appeal.