IPL 2026: Why is BCCI Announcing the IPL Schedule in Two Phases? Reasons Explained

Even with the T20 World Cup 2026 taking place, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is certainly making a buzz on the internet. The IPL 2026 schedule is expected to be announced in two phases. The first phase could be announced as early as 6th or 7th March. 

The question that is being asked over the internet is why the schedule of IPL 2026 is being announced in two phases. It is a practice that was also followed two years ago for IPL 2024 due to the General Elections taking place in India. This time around, the Assembly Elections in four states have forced the BCCI to wait for the official date announcement from the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Why is the IPL 2026 schedule being announced in two phases?

State assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Assam, and West Bengal could impact the IPL 2026 matches. Two of three states have teams in the Indian Premier League. Five-time champions and crowd favorite, Chennai Super Kings play their matches in the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. While Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) play their games in Eden Gardens in Kolkata, West Bengal. 

KKR on previous occasions have relocated to Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, Assam, when Eden Gardens is unavailable. However, with elections set to take place in Assam as well, that is no longer a viable option for the franchise.

How will state assembly elections impact the IPL 2026 schedule?

The state assembly elections in the above three states would require a lot of security. With IPL teams being based out of capital cities (Kolkata and Chennai), it is difficult to provide ample security in stadiums with the state assembly elections taking place.

Following the stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last year, the BCCI or state cricket boards would not want to take any risks with a lack of security at stadiums. 

The second phase of the schedule would be expected to be announced in the middle of March, following the announcement of dates of the state assembly elections by ECI. 

It is expected that both KKR and CSK would play fewer home games during the assembly elections in their state. This could result in them playing a flurry of home games before and after the elections. 

Stadiums underprepared after T20 Cricket World Cup 2026?

Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will be hosting the two semi-finals and the final of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. The three stadiums are also home to IPL teams. 

The stadiums would need to be prepared for the IPL, and the branding would have to be changed. Additionally, the pitches too would be worked upon, mostly according to the needs of the home franchise.

It is quite evident that the run-scoring trends differ significantly between IPL and the ongoing T20 World Cup. The pitches are much flatter in the league, and it is expected that the same could be prepared for the 2026 season as well. 

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