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IPL 2026 Start May Shift Amid State Polls

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
  • Feb 27, 2026
  • 565

The schedule for IPL 2026 is likely to be revised due to upcoming state assembly elections, with the tournament now expected to begin on March 28 instead of the earlier proposed March 26. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to take a final call on the revised dates.

Election Impact on Venues

Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, and Puducherry may create logistical and security challenges in key host cities. As a precaution, the BCCI is considering postponing the opening fixtures to avoid clashes with polling schedules and deployment of security personnel.

Three major IPL venues fall within poll-bound states:

  • M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) – Home ground of the Chennai Super Kings

  • Eden Gardens – Home ground of the Kolkata Knight Riders

  • Barsapara Cricket Stadium – Second home venue of the Rajasthan Royals

Historically, since the IPL’s inception in 2008, the BCCI has released the schedule in two phases during election years such as 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024. The same approach is expected this season as well.

Opening Match Venue Under Review

The venue for the opening match is also under discussion. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are slated to feature in the tournament opener. However, uncertainty surrounds their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Last June, a tragic stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations at the stadium resulted in 11 fatalities. Following the incident, discussions have been ongoing between the franchise and the Karnataka State Cricket Association regarding whether RCB will host all seven home matches in Bengaluru or shift to an alternative venue.

Cities such as Navi Mumbai, Raipur, and Pune have reportedly been shortlisted as backup options.

Schedule Announcement Timeline

During the IPL auction in Abu Dhabi last December, the BCCI had informed franchises that the season would run from March 26 to May 31. While the revised start date may shift to March 28, there is no confirmation yet on whether the final date will be altered.

The BCCI is expected to release the schedule in the first week of March. Initially, the plan was to unveil the complete fixture list after the Election Commission announced polling dates. However, due to time constraints and pressure from franchises, the board is now likely to announce a partial schedule first, followed by the remaining fixtures later — a strategy previously adopted during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.