BOARD OF CONTROL FOR CRICKET IN INDIA (BCCI) is waiting for the Election Commission to announce the dates for upcoming state elections before finalising the schedule for the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), sources told IANS.
The development comes amid elections due to be held in several states, with the BCCI awaiting official confirmation of poll dates for Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Key IPL venues are located in these states, including the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, which hosts select Rajasthan Royals home matches, as well as the MA Chidambaram Stadium and Eden Gardens, the respective home grounds of Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
“We are working on the IPL schedule, but we are still awaiting the announcement of the election dates by the Election Commission. Once those dates are confirmed, we will be able to draw up a schedule that does not disrupt the election process or clash with matches in the poll-bound states, ensuring smooth conduct of both,” a BCCI source told IANS.
In addition, the Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been asked to finalise their home venues by the end of this week. The source added that the league’s final schedule will be prepared only after both franchises communicate their decisions.
Last week, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) received approval to host IPL and international matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru once again, subject to compliance with specific terms and conditions.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals’ home venue uncertainty for IPL 2026 stems from administrative issues within the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA). The BCCI has cautioned the franchise that it may need to identify a backup venue, such as Pune’s MCA Stadium, as Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium remains under a cloud due to the RCA’s failure to conduct elections. The administrative impasse has raised concerns over the smooth hosting of matches, despite the RCA’s efforts to retain Jaipur as the franchise’s home ground.
