IPL 2026 Likely Across 18 Venues as BCCI Waits for Election Dates: Report

The BCCI had shortlisted 18 venues for IPL 2026 but delayed the final schedule due to upcoming state elections.

A total of 18 venues across India are expected to host matches during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. According to a report published in Dainik Jagran on Wednesday (January 21), cities including Chennai, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium), Kolkata, Ahmedabad, New Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Dharamshala, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Navi Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium), and Thiruvananthapuram are on the proposed list.

Out of these 18 venues, 13, Chennai, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium), Kolkata, Ahmedabad, New Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Dharamshala, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, Jaipur, and Bengaluru — had already hosted matches during the IPL 2025 season.

However, uncertainty remains over the home venues of Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. With concerns surrounding Jaipur and Bengaluru, cities like Pune, Raipur, and Navi Mumbai have been included in the probable list. Additionally, due to Tamil Nadu state assembly elections, a few home matches of Chennai Super Kings are expected to be shifted to Ranchi and Thiruvananthapuram.

According to a BCCI source quoted by news agency IANS, the board is actively working on the IPL 2026 schedule but is waiting for the Election Commission of India to announce the election dates for Tamil Nadu, Assam, and West Bengal.

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“We are working on the IPL schedule, but we are still awaiting the government’s announcement of the election dates. Once those dates are confirmed, we will be able to draw up a schedule that does not disrupt the election process or clash with matches in the poll-bound states, ensuring smooth conduct of both,” a BCCI source told IANS.

The source further added that the BCCI has asked both Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals to take a final decision on their home venues within a week.

“As far as the home venues of RCB and RR are concerned, we have asked the franchises to take a final call and inform us within a week. Once the teams finalise their venues, we will prepare the schedule accordingly. So, at this stage, we are waiting for the teams’ decisions as well as the announcement of the election dates,” the source added.

Earlier reports have suggested that RCB could play five of their home matches in Navi Mumbai and two in Raipur, while Rajasthan Royals may shift their home games to the MCA Stadium in Pune for the IPL 2026 season.

The final IPL 2026 schedule is expected to be announced once clarity emerges on election dates and franchise venue confirmations.