The new Indian Premier League (IPL) season will begin within this month. But guess what? The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the schedule. It will take at least three more days, with the official announcement likely to come only after the two T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. The new development has come directly from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
While speaking to the Times of India, Saikia divulged that the BCCI is waiting for more clarity on state elections. There will be elections this year across multiple states. The election dates aren’t confirmed yet. Hence, the IPL schedule is getting delayed. However, he has revealed that the BCCI will be revealing it within two or three days.
“Please wait for two to three days for the IPL schedule. We will release it as soon as possible. We know that it is getting late because elections are being held in three or four states such as Assam, Bengal and Tamil Nadu. We are waiting for the announcement from the election authorities. We have to take a call in a day or two. After that, we will inform you how we are going forward with the IPL.”
Why is IPL schedule delayed?
West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam are heading into assembly elections between March and May. That directly impacts Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and even Rajasthan Royals, who use Guwahati as a second base.
Security is the biggest concern. During elections, state police forces are stretched thin. If match dates clash with polling or counting days, providing security for high-profile IPL games becomes nearly impossible. That means venues would have to be changed at short notice. So, it is a logistical headache the BCCI wants to avoid.
Add to that Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) uncertainty over using the Chinnaswamy Stadium, with Pune emerging as a temporary option. The KSCA is hopeful but there hasn’t been any guarantee for RCB. In all likelihood, the BCCI may release the IPL 2026 fixtures in phases too. Fans, teams and venues would love to know the schedule as soon as possible. The excitiement for IPL will multifold once the T20 World Cup concludes.
Assembly Elections 2026
| State | Window | Affected Team |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | March-May | KKR |
| Tamil Nadu | March-May | CSK |
| Assam | March-May | KKR, RR |
| Kerala | March-May | None |
| Puducherry | March-May | None |
