Finally, the coast is clear. The second phase of the IPL 2026 schedule should be announced soon. This will happen since the Election Commission of India announced the dates for the elections in 4 states & a union territory on Sunday. Until now, the board had only revealed the schedule for the first 20 matches of the IPL this season, so that they can avoid hosting matches in venues, where election process would be ongoing — mainly Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Election dates announced
Both these states — TN & WB, host a sizeable chunk of IPL matches each year — with Chepauk in Chennai & Eden Gardens in Kolkata being big venues. Here are the elections dates:
- Assam – 9/4/26 – Counting 4/5/26
- Kerala – 9/4/26 – Counting 4/5/36
- Puducherry – 9/4/36 – Counting – 4/5/26
- Tamil Nadu – 23/4/26 – Counting – 4/5/26
- West Bengal – 23/4/2026 and 29/4/2026 – Counting – 4/5/26
Full IPL 2026 schedule soon
The main challenge in hosting matches in the venues where elections are taking place is, managing the logistics. Nonetheless, one can now expect the BCCI to avoid matches in these venues on certain dates. As far as the existing IPL 2026 schedule is concerned, Bengaluru is expected to host the opening match between RCB & SRH, on March 28.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium is yet to get a green signal from concerned authorities, for hosting the matches. A formal announcement is due to be made on March 16.
| Match | Date | Day | Home | Away | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28/03/26 | Sat | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | 19:30 |
| 2 | 29/03/26 | Sun | Mumbai Indians | Kolkata Knight Riders | Mumbai | 19:30 |
| 3 | 30/03/26 | Mon | Rajasthan Royals | Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati | 19:30 |
| 4 | 31/03/26 | Tue | Punjab Kings | Gujarat Titans | Mullanpur | 19:30 |
| 5 | 01/04/26 | Wed | Lucknow Super Giants | Delhi Capitals | Lucknow | 19:30 |
| 6 | 02/04/26 | Thu | Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata | 19:30 |
| 7 | 03/04/26 | Fri | Chennai Super Kings | Punjab Kings | Chennai | 19:30 |
| 8 | 04/04/26 | Sat | Delhi Capitals | Mumbai Indians | Delhi | 15:30 |
| 9 | 04/04/26 | Sat | Gujarat Titans | Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | 19:30 |
| 10 | 05/04/26 | Sun | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Lucknow Super Giants | Hyderabad | 15:30 |
| 11 | 05/04/26 | Sun | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 19:30 |
| 12 | 06/04/26 | Mon | Kolkata Knight Riders | Punjab Kings | Kolkata | 19:30 |
| 13 | 07/04/26 | Tue | Rajasthan Royals | Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | 19:30 |
| 14 | 08/04/26 | Wed | Delhi Capitals | Gujarat Titans | Delhi | 19:30 |
| 15 | 09/04/26 | Thu | Kolkata Knight Riders | Lucknow Super Giants | Kolkata | 19:30 |
| 16 | 10/04/26 | Fri | Rajasthan Royals | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati | 19:30 |
| 17 | 11/04/26 | Sat | Punjab Kings | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mullanpur | 15:30 |
| 18 | 11/04/26 | Sat | Chennai Super Kings | Delhi Capitals | Chennai | 19:30 |
| 19 | 12/04/26 | Sun | Lucknow Super Giants | Gujarat Titans | Lucknow | 15:30 |
| 20 | 12/04/26 | Sun | Mumbai Indians | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Mumbai | 19:30 |
