![Rajeev Shukla [Source: AFP/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1773561192465_Rajeev Shukla.jpg)
Rajeev Shukla [Source: AFP/X]
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla has shared an important update regarding the remaining schedule of IPL 2026. Notably, BCCI announced the schedule for the first phase of the IPL 2026 on Wednesday. The tournament will begin on March 28 and continue until April 12. However, the full schedule has not been released yet.
Notably, this decision was taken because several states in India will hold Legislative Assembly elections during the same period. As a result, the BCCI decided to announce the tournament schedule in phases. Once the election dates are confirmed, the BCCI will release the remaining fixtures of the IPL 2026 season.
Elections delaying full IPL 2026 schedule
The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the dates for Legislative Assembly elections in several regions. These include the states of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Assam, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry.
The announcement is expected to be made in a press conference in New Delhi. Because elections require heavy security arrangements and large-scale logistics, the BCCI wants to make sure that the IPL schedule does not clash with polling activities. Therefore, the board decided to wait for the official election timetable before releasing the rest of the IPL fixtures.
Rajeev Shukla shares update on full IPL 2026 schedule
On March 15, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla shared an update about the schedule of the tournament. While speaking during an event, Shukla explained that it would be easier for the board to plan the matches after the election dates are announced.
"It's good if the announcement is going to be made. After the dates are announced, we will be able to release the complete schedule of the IPL," Rajeev Shukla said.
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Notably, the complete IPL schedule is likely to be released within five to six days after the poll dates become official.
IPL 2026 first phase schedule announced
Before the tournament begins, the IPL 2026 captains’ and managers’ meeting will also be held at the Wankhede Stadium on March 26 at 12:30 PM.
Meanwhile, the 19th edition of the IPL will start with defending champions RCB taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
In the first phase, a total of 20 matches will be played across 10 venues. These venues include Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
Additionally, the tournament will include four double-header days. On those days, the afternoon matches will start at 3:30 PM IST, while the evening matches will begin at 7:30 PM IST. After the opening match, Mumbai Indians will face KKR at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
The first double-header of the season is scheduled for April 4, 2026. In the afternoon match, Delhi Capitals will take on Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Later in the evening, Gujarat Titans will face Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Several teams will also play matches at different home venues this season. Notably, Rajasthan Royals will start their home campaign in Guwahati, where they will host Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings will play their early home matches at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. RCB will play five home matches in Bengaluru and two matches in Raipur. Punjab Kings will have four home matches in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamshala, while Rajasthan Royals will play three home games in Guwahati and four in Jaipur.
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