The announcement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) fixtures is delayed due to state elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, along with the readiness of venues for the ongoing T20 World Cup. The 2026 IPL season is set to take place from March 26 to May 31.
A BCCI official indicated that the schedule may be released in two parts because of the overlap with the state assembly elections and their counting dates.
This situation raises security concerns since local police will be busy with the elections. The official added that the board is awaiting more information from authorities before confirming the venues and fixtures.
“It’s a complex task to adjust the schedule of three teams if some match dates coincide with the election days. Local police won’t be available for security, so we might have to relocate those matches. We are in contact with authorities and waiting for clear dates,” a BCCI official stated.
CSK, KKR Fixtures Likely to Face Disruptions
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) may face challenges due to this scheduling issue. KKR is reportedly exploring alternative venues and is in talks with the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) to host some or all of their matches at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
Additionally, there are uncertainties surrounding Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur because of administrative issues within the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA). The Rajasthan Royals are actively looking for a new home venue and are in discussions with the Maharashtra Cricket Association to potentially host their matches at MCA Stadium in Pune.
Another challenge for the BCCI is ensuring that venues currently hosting World Cup matches are ready for IPL. Of the 10 IPL venues, five—Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad—are involved in the global event and will need time for preparation. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to conclude on March 8.
