The BCCI has pushed back the IPL 2026 initial schedule release—originally set for March 9—to by March 12, covering the first 20 days ahead of the March 28 start with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting the opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The two-phase rollout accounts for state elections, while a new LPG shortage from the US-Israel-Iran conflict threatens logistics; the final remains May 31 in Bengaluru.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) initially planned to announce the IPL 2026 schedule on March 9 between 4-6 PM IST but has now confirmed the first 20 days' fixtures will be unveiled by March 12, with the rest following state assembly election dates in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told IANS: "We plan to announce the IPL 2026 schedule by March 12. For now, we are going to announce the IPL schedule for the first 20 days."
The 19th edition features 10 teams in 84 matches (80 league in double round-robin, four playoffs from May 26), delayed from an initial March 26 start. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who won the 2025 title by six runs over Punjab Kings, host the opener (rumored vs. Punjab Kings) and five homes at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium—resuming after 2025 stampede upgrades including AI surveillance—plus two in Raipur and the final/Qualifier 1 on May 31. Karnataka State Cricket Association Secretary Santosh Menon called it a 'significant achievement.' RCB CEO Rajesh Menon added: "The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than just our home ground; it is where our identity as a team truly comes alive."
Elections may limit security for teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals. Teams/captains: CSK (Ruturaj Gaikwad), MI (Hardik Pandya), RCB (Rajat Patidar), KKR (Ajinkya Rahane), GT (Shubman Gill), RR (Riyan Parag), LSG (Rishabh Pant), SRH (Pat Cummins), DC (Axar Patel), PBKS (Shreyas Iyer). Playoffs also likely in Ahmedabad/Raipur; league spans Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Raipur.
A fresh challenge: the US-Israel-Iran war has caused an LPG crisis, with Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz; India invoked the Essential Commodities Act on March 10 for gas prioritization. Hotel shortages in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai could affect teams. IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal said: "Definitely, it's a challenge... we are reviewing and watching the situation." Travel reviews follow T20 World Cup delays.
Franchises prepare: CSK trained from March 1 (Gaikwad, Dhoni); RCB camp February 10 Navi Mumbai; GT in Nathdwara; PBKS in Abu Dhabi/Dharamsala; SRH from March 1; MI sessions underway; RR from March 15 Jaipur; KKR from March 18.