Ban on smart glasses in IPL? BCCI announces tighter security protocols
IPL 2026: BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit has banned smart glasses in IPL 2026 dressing rooms and restricted areas, citing security and integrity concerns. Players and staff must deposit the devices on match days.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has instructed all IPL 2026 players and support staff to surrender smart glasses and other advanced eyewear on match days.
The move is part of a wider effort to protect the integrity of the tournament and prevent any potential misuse of technology in restricted areas.
According to the ACSU, several technology companies have recently been promoting and selling smart sunglasses and goggles to IPL players and franchise personnel. While these devices look similar to regular eyewear, they come with advanced features that have raised concerns among tournament officials.
The ACSU noted that many of these smart glasses can record videos, live-stream footage, send and receive text messages, and even make audio or video calls using mobile data or Wi-Fi connections. Because of these capabilities, the devices have been classified as both communication and audio-video recording equipment under IPL regulations.
NEW MATCH-DAY RULES
As a result, the use or possession of smart glasses has been banned inside the Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) on match days. The restriction applies to all high-security zones, including dressing rooms, dugouts and player viewing areas.
The ACSU believes such devices could potentially be used to transmit information in real time or create security vulnerabilities during matches. To avoid any risk, officials have decided to treat smart eyewear in the same way as other prohibited electronic devices.
Under the new guidelines, players and support staff must hand over any smart glasses to the Security Liaison Officer (SLO) when they arrive at the venue. These devices must be deposited along with mobile phones, smartwatches and any other communication-capable gadgets before entering restricted team areas.
The BCCI has made it clear that compliance with the directive is mandatory. Anyone found carrying or using smart glasses inside the PMOA will be considered in violation of tournament protocols.
The board has also warned that failure to deposit such devices could lead to disciplinary action and personal penalties under the IPL 2026 Minimum Standards regulations.
With the latest directive, the ACSU is aiming to close any potential loopholes created by emerging wearable technology and ensure that team areas remain free from unauthorised digital communication during matches.
RECENT IPL CONTROVERSIES
Recent incidents have also highlighted the BCCI's growing concerns over technology and conduct inside restricted match-day areas. Earlier in IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs 1 lakh and issued a warning after being seen using a mobile phone in the dugout during a match, a direct violation of PMOA regulations.
The league also faced another controversy when Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was caught on broadcast cameras using an e-cigarette inside the dressing room during a game against Punjab Kings. The incident led to disciplinary action, with Parag later being fined 25 percent of his match fee and handed a demerit point for conduct deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.
These incidents are understood to be among the reasons why the ACSU has moved to tighten restrictions around electronic and communication-capable devices within IPL team areas.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has instructed all IPL 2026 players and support staff to surrender smart glasses and other advanced eyewear on match days.
The move is part of a wider effort to protect the integrity of the tournament and prevent any potential misuse of technology in restricted areas.
According to the ACSU, several technology companies have recently been promoting and selling smart sunglasses and goggles to IPL players and franchise personnel. While these devices look similar to regular eyewear, they come with advanced features that have raised concerns among tournament officials.
The ACSU noted that many of these smart glasses can record videos, live-stream footage, send and receive text messages, and even make audio or video calls using mobile data or Wi-Fi connections. Because of these capabilities, the devices have been classified as both communication and audio-video recording equipment under IPL regulations.
NEW MATCH-DAY RULES
As a result, the use or possession of smart glasses has been banned inside the Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) on match days. The restriction applies to all high-security zones, including dressing rooms, dugouts and player viewing areas.
The ACSU believes such devices could potentially be used to transmit information in real time or create security vulnerabilities during matches. To avoid any risk, officials have decided to treat smart eyewear in the same way as other prohibited electronic devices.
Under the new guidelines, players and support staff must hand over any smart glasses to the Security Liaison Officer (SLO) when they arrive at the venue. These devices must be deposited along with mobile phones, smartwatches and any other communication-capable gadgets before entering restricted team areas.
The BCCI has made it clear that compliance with the directive is mandatory. Anyone found carrying or using smart glasses inside the PMOA will be considered in violation of tournament protocols.
The board has also warned that failure to deposit such devices could lead to disciplinary action and personal penalties under the IPL 2026 Minimum Standards regulations.
With the latest directive, the ACSU is aiming to close any potential loopholes created by emerging wearable technology and ensure that team areas remain free from unauthorised digital communication during matches.
RECENT IPL CONTROVERSIES
Recent incidents have also highlighted the BCCI's growing concerns over technology and conduct inside restricted match-day areas. Earlier in IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs 1 lakh and issued a warning after being seen using a mobile phone in the dugout during a match, a direct violation of PMOA regulations.
The league also faced another controversy when Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag was caught on broadcast cameras using an e-cigarette inside the dressing room during a game against Punjab Kings. The incident led to disciplinary action, with Parag later being fined 25 percent of his match fee and handed a demerit point for conduct deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.
These incidents are understood to be among the reasons why the ACSU has moved to tighten restrictions around electronic and communication-capable devices within IPL team areas.
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