The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule on March 11. However, the dates and venues for only the first 20 games have been announced.
This is due to elections in several Indian states, which include West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam.
Following the release of the fixtures for the first 20 games, BCCI’s vice president Rajiv Shukla has confirmed that the IPL 2026 tournament will be held as per the schedule.
He also further mentioned that the second phase of the schedule will be released once the Election Commission unveils the dates for states where elections would be conducted.
IPL will be held as per schedule. We have released the schedule for 20 matches. The schedule for remaining matches will be released after the Election Commission announces the dates for states going to the election,” said Rajiv Shukla.
During the announcement of the first phase of the tournament, “Full schedule will be announced once poll dates are announced for the states set to undergo State Assembly elections,” IPL posted on X.
🚨 News 🚨
Presenting the schedule for the first 20 matches of #TATAIPL 2026, to be played from March 28 to April 12, 2026 🗓️
Full schedule will be announced once poll dates are announced for three states set to undergo State Assembly elections.
More details ▶️… pic.twitter.com/8Iq492v8TE
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 11, 2026
The tournament begins on with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first match of the IPL 2026 on March 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The venue will host their first cricket match for the first match since the stampede outside the venue.
The first double header games will be played on April 04 with Delhi Capitals facing Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The second match will take place between the Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals at Narendra Modi stadium.
