IPL 2026: Schedule on hold as BCCI seeks clarity on poll dates

MUMBAI: The BCCI is awaiting the Election Commission of India’s update regarding the announcement of election dates in a few states before finalising and releasing the schedule of IPL-2026. They have also given Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru a week’s time to finalise their home venues, according to a top source in the BCCI. The decision was taken after a virtual meeting of the BCCI’s IPL governing council.

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Elections are due this year in Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu. The Eden Gardens in Kolkata is the home venue of the Kolkata Knight Riders. The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai plays host to Chennai Super Kings, while the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati hosts some of Rajasthan Royals’ home matches.




“We are awaiting the announcement of the poll schedule by the ECI for the three poll-bound states, after which we will finalise our schedule. RR wants to host their matches in Pune, but the Rajasthan govt is keen to stage RR’s IPL 2026 matches in Jaipur. We have given time till Jan 27 to both RR and RCB to take a final call on this matter and get back to us,” said a senior BCCI official.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) last week received permission to host IPL and international matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, “subject to compliance with specific terms and conditions prescribed by the govt and concerned authorities”.

However, the BCCI is firm that unless there is an “unconditional offer by the state government, with proper capacity plan for the stadium” in the next 10 days, it will be difficult to hold IPL matches in Bengaluru. “In yesterday’s meeting of the IPL governing council, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal stated that in 10 days, an unconditional offer has to come from the state with a proper (seating) capacity plan for the stadium,” a source in the BCCI told TOI.


Get the latest WPL 2026 updates including WPL teams, full WPL 2026 schedule, and live scores for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Delhi Capitals. Also check the latest WPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.