BCCI Bans Smart Sunglasses in IPL PMOA Amid Violation Concerns

The BCCI has prohibited the use of smart sunglasses with communication features in the IPL Players and Match Officials Area, cautioning against any breach of this rule. The devices can enable live streaming and video calling, raising security concerns. Players are to comply with the strict PMOA standards.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has enacted a ban on smart sunglasses equipped with advanced communication capabilities within the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA) during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). The decision stems from concerns over potential security breaches due to features such as live streaming and video calling.

The BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit underscored the importance of this regulation through an advisory directed at IPL franchises, highlighting instances where companies have marketed these devices to players and staff. In light of the new rule, players and match officials must relinquish any such devices, along with mobile phones and smartwatches, to the Security Liaison Officer when entering the PMOA.

The Board has signaled that non-compliance could attract penalties under the PMOA protocols established for IPL 2026. The league has seen significant efforts to reinforce its regulatory framework, especially after recent code of conduct violations that included unauthorized device use.