IPL 2026 will be held as per schedule: BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla reveals why only part of calendar was released

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to host SunRisers Hyderabad in the opening match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced the much awaited schedule for the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the dates and venues for only the first 20 matches were announced.

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla On Thursday revealed that the full schedule will be announced once the Election Commission releases the dates for the Assembly polls in that are scheduled in April-May in five states.

Shukla, who is also a Congress MP, assured that IPL 2026 will be held on schedule.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to host SunRisers Hyderabad in the opening match of IPL 2026 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

"Full schedule will be announced once poll dates are announced for the states set to undergo State Assembly elections," IPL posted on X.

RCB will play five matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, will the remaining two fixtures at Raipur's Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.

The iconic stadium in Bengaluru has not hosted any professional match since June 4, 2025 stampede that killed 11 fans after RCB's maiden title win last year.

RCB won the title, ending a 18-year drought, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad last year.

According to the released schedule, one match will be played on weekdays, while fans can enjoy double-headers on weekends from the second week onwards.