IPL 2026 Schedule: What’s taking BCCI so long to release the schedule? Here’s what we know

While the T20 World Cup 2026 currently holds the world’s attention, the IPL 2026 schedule remains a major point of discussion as fans wait for the official fixture list. Although the tournament window is locked from March 26 to May 31, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently navigating a series of logistical and political hurdles. As per reports from InsideSport, the delay is not a result of ‘fiascos’ or external cricket politics, but rather a complex ‘mammoth task’ of aligning the league with India’s internal landscape.

IPL 2026 schedule: What’s causing the delay in BCCI’s fixture announcement?

As per the report, the most significant roadblock for the BCCI is the upcoming 2026 Assembly Elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry. Because the elections are set to take place across April and May, they overlap almost perfectly with the IPL season. This creates a massive security challenge for teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

“It’s a mammoth task to rearrange the schedule of three teams if some of the match dates clash with the election or counting dates. Naturally, the state police won’t be able to provide security for the matches, and we will have to move those games to a different location. We are in touch with the authorities and waiting for some clarity on the dates,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by InsideSport.

For KKR, the situation is even more delicate. Traditionally, when Eden Gardens is unavailable, the franchise has looked to Guwahati as a second home. However, with Assam also heading to the polls, KKR may have to look further afield, potentially back to other venues, to host their matches. Similarly, without finalized poll dates, the BCCI is considering releasing the schedule in two parts to avoid mass cancellations and venue shifts.

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Impact of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Indian Premier League

Beyond politics, the physical condition of the stadiums is a pressing concern. Five of the ten primary IPL venues, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Ahmedabad, are currently serving as hosts for the T20 World Cup 2026. With the World Cup final scheduled for March 8, 2026, these grounds will have less than three weeks to ‘refresh their pitches and recover from the heavy wear of international play.

“If the dates take too long to be announced, we may end up releasing the schedule in two parts. That is one option. We will take a call soon,” the BCCI official concluded.

This narrow window complicates the early part of the IPL schedule. Grounds like Eden Gardens and M.A. Chidambaram Stadium need time to breathe to ensure the quality of the playing surface lasts through the 74-match IPL season. As a result, teams may be forced to play their opening games away from home or at neutral venues while their primary squares are being rehabilitated.

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