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IPL 2026 Schedule First Phase to be Announced in 2-3 Days, Says BCCI Secretary

The BCCI secretary has confirmed the schedule for the first 20 days of IPL 2026 will be announced within the next two to three days, following an assessment of upcoming state election dates. The tournament is officially set to begin on March 28, with a two-phase schedule announcement planned. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play five home games at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is also confirmed to host the final. The venue's return to hosting follows a suspension after a fatal stampede during RCB's 2025 title celebrations.

Key Points: IPL 2026 First 20-Day Schedule Announcement Imminent

  • IPL 2026 starts March 28
  • Schedule to be two-phased due to elections
  • RCB are defending champions
  • M. Chinnaswamy to host final
2 min read

"Will announce first 20 days of IPL schedule in next 2-3 days": BCCI secretary Saikia

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia says the initial IPL 2026 schedule will be released in 2-3 days, considering state election dates. Season starts March 28.

"We will announce the first 20-day schedule of IPL in 2 or 3 days after considering the election dates - Devajit Saikia"

By Vipul Kashyap, New Delhi, March 10

The Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Devajit Saikia said that the schedule for the first 20 days of the Indian Premier League will be announced within the next two to three days after looking at the election dates in a few states.

The upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season will officially kick off on March 28, broadcaster Star Sports confirmed on Sunday. The official announcement came ahead of the India vs New Zealand ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The announcement of the tournament's schedule will be two-phased, with state assembly elections set to take place in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the next coming months.

Speaking to ANI, Saikia said, "We will announce the first 20-day schedule of IPL in 2 or 3 days after considering the election dates in a few states and will announce the rest of the tournament schedule later."

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the defending champions. The Bengaluru-based franchise defeated Punjab Kings in the 2025 edition summit clash by six runs in Ahmedabad. Earlier this month, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary, Santosh Menon, confirmed that the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will host five of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 home games. He also confirmed that the venue will host the IPL 2026 final, along with one of the play-off matches in the tournament.

Notably, RCB's remaining two home matches of their IPL 2026 campaign will be held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

Cricket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium had been suspended since June last year after 11 people died and several were injured in a stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL 2025 title celebration, with the stadium not hosting its share of ICC Women's World Cup fixtures and got no matches for the recently-concluded ICC T20 World Cup either. Even the domestic and state franchise-based tournaments had been affected by this suspension placed on the iconic venue.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Hosting the final at Chinnaswamy after last year's tragedy feels a bit rushed, no? Safety should be the absolute top priority. The fans' lives are more important than any trophy celebration.
A
Aman W
As a Bengalurean, I'm thrilled the final is coming home! But the authorities better have world-class crowd management this time. We cannot forget what happened. #SafetyFirst
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the schedule being planned around state elections. It's a smart move to avoid any logistical or security issues. Hope RCB can defend their title!
V
Vikram M
Two home games in Raipur is a great initiative! Helps spread the game to newer cities. Chhattisgarh fans must be super excited. IPL truly is a national festival.
K
Karthik V
The phased announcement makes sense given the elections in Bengal, TN, etc. But BCCI, please ensure the full schedule is out soon. Fans need to book travel and hotels!

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