New Delhi, Jan 21: Until election dates for key states are out, the BCCI won’t lock down the IPL 2026 calendar, insiders said. With that on hold, teams such as Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru must confirm where they’ll play at home by Friday. Though planning waits on political timing, club logistics move ahead.
As votes near in multiple regions, the BCCI waits on clear schedules from Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Home to key stadiums, these areas often see IPL fixtures unfold. Take Guwahati’s Barsapara ground – it’s been base for Rajasthan Royals’ matches. Over in Chennai, the Super Kings take field at Chidambaram; Kolkata’s team plays out of Eden Gardens. Keeping game plans away from voting days matters most to the board right now.
“We are actively working on the IPL schedule, but until the election dates are formally announced, we cannot finalize fixtures in the affected states,” a BCCI source said. “Once the dates are confirmed, we can ensure the schedule does not clash with elections and both the election process and the IPL proceed smoothly.”
Back on track, the Karnataka State Cricket Association now has green light from officials to bring back IPL and global games to M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Still, that nod arrives packed with rules meant to keep things safe and within legal lines.
When it comes to where RCB and RR will play, the BCCI wants each team to decide fast – answers must come in within seven days. Only after those choices are locked can the full IPL calendar take shape, according to someone close to the process.
Fresh games at Chinnaswamy now replace long weeks of doubt. A deadly crush after RCB lifted the IPL 2025 trophy on June 4 had emptied the ground – eleven died, fifty-six hurt. Because of that, big tournaments vanished from the city’s lineup: first the Duleep Trophy left, then India versus South Africa A, followed by the Vijay Hazare event, even the 2025 women’s World Cup moved elsewhere.
Only if the suggestions in Justice Michael D’Cunha’s report are followed will the stadium reopen – this review came out during the probe into what happened. For many months, KSCA struggled to run things smoothly because it had no treasurer or secretary, both having stepped down to take personal blame. A group formed last year under Venkatesh Prasad now holds control, aiming mainly to return games to this well-known cricket ground.
Now that approval from the state government has come through, focus shifts toward what RCB intends for IPL 2026. Though Chinnaswamy Stadium still stands as the top choice for matches, recent updates indicate a different possibility emerging. In one development, RCB’s vice-president Rajesh Menon held talks with Chhattisgarh’s leader Vishnu Deo Sai. The discussion centered on bringing two fixtures to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, located in Naya Raipur.
One thing making things tricky for Rajasthan Royals? Problems behind the scenes at the Rajasthan Cricket Association. BCCI stepped in, saying they might need another place ready – Pune’s stadium could step in if needed. Right now, Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium is stuck in doubt. Because election deadlines were missed, planning games there got messy. Even so, people are still trying hard to keep Jaipur as the team’s base.
Right now, nothing’s set for IPL 2026 – everything waits. Until RCB and RR make up their minds, while the Election Commission reveals when state elections happen, plans stay frozen. Across India, people watch closely, wanting clear answers soon. Many hope the tournament moves forward without hiccups. A fresh round of big hits, tense finishes, and loud moments could still come.
