IPL 2026 Full Schedule in 3-4 Days: Why BCCI Released It in Phases
Big news for every cricket fan waiting on the complete fixture list. BCCI has officially informed all 10 franchises that the remaining IPL 2026 schedule will be released within the next 3 to 4 days. The board has already dropped the first phase covering the opening 20 matches, and the rest of the tournament calendar is now almost ready to go public.
Why BCCI Released the Schedule in Two Phases
This was not a random decision. BCCI had a very specific and legitimate reason for splitting the schedule announcement into two parts.
State elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, along with the readiness of venues used for the ongoing T20 World Cup, are the key reasons behind the delay. A BCCI official explained that the schedule may need to be rearranged for certain teams if match dates clash with election or counting dates, since state police would be unavailable to provide security during those windows.
Five of the 10 IPL venues — Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad — hosted T20 World Cup matches and required proper preparation time before IPL action could begin there.
| Reason for Phase Release | Detail |
|---|---|
| State Assembly Elections | West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala |
| Venue Readiness | 5 venues needed post-World Cup preparation |
| Security Coordination | State police tied to election duty |
| Election Commission Dates | Full fixture confirmation pending poll timetable |
What the First Phase Already Covers
The BCCI released the first phase schedule on March 11, covering 20 matches across 10 venues including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. Day matches start at 3:30 PM and evening games at 7:30 PM.
The first phase runs from March 28 through to April 12, which gives fans two full weeks of cricket while the board works out the remaining fixture logistics around election calendars.
Key confirmed games already in phase one:
- March 28: RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- March 29: Mumbai Indians vs KKR at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- March 30: Rajasthan Royals vs CSK at Guwahati
- April 4: Delhi Capitals vs MI followed by Gujarat Titans vs RR (first double-header)
Check the full IPL 2026 match schedule page for the complete list of confirmed phase one fixtures and timings.
What to Expect in the Full Schedule
The upcoming edition is expected to be the largest in IPL history with a record 84 matches. That means there is a significant chunk of the tournament still to be scheduled beyond April 12.
Here is what fans can expect once the full calendar drops:
- Complete home and away fixtures for all 10 teams beyond April 12
- Confirmation of playoff dates and venues
- Clarity on which teams play where during the election-affected period
- Final confirmation of venue assignments for teams with split home grounds
Several teams will play matches at different home venues this season. Rajasthan Royals will start their home campaign in Guwahati, hosting CSK and Mumbai Indians there, while 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.
| Team | Home Ground Split |
|---|---|
| RCB | 5 matches Bengaluru, 2 in Raipur |
| Rajasthan Royals | 3 matches Guwahati, 4 in Jaipur |
| Punjab Kings | 4 matches New Chandigarh, 3 in Dharamshala |
| Other teams | Single home venue confirmed |
Keep an eye on the IPL 2026 teams and squads page to stay updated on each franchise’s full lineup as the season gets underway.
The Captains and Managers Meeting Is Already Set
Before the full schedule even drops, the tournament preparations are moving fast. The IPL 2026 captains and managers meeting is scheduled at Wankhede Stadium on March 26 at 12:30 PM, just two days before the season opener. That meeting will set the tone for the rules, playing conditions, and any last-minute tournament updates before the first ball is bowled.
With the opener less than a week away and the full schedule dropping in 3 to 4 days, the entire tournament picture will be clear very soon. Follow the IPL 2026 latest updates section to catch every announcement the moment it lands.
FAQs
When will the full IPL 2026 schedule be released?
BCCI has informed all 10 franchises that the remaining IPL 2026 schedule will be announced within 3 to 4 days. The first phase covering 20 matches was already released on March 11.
Why did BCCI release the IPL 2026 schedule in two phases?
The main reason is state assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Kerala. State police cannot provide match security during election and counting days, so the BCCI needed to wait for official poll dates before confirming venues and fixtures for the second half.
How many matches are there in IPL 2026?
IPL 2026 features a record 84 matches across the full tournament, making it the largest edition in IPL history.
When does IPL 2026 start?
IPL 2026 begins on March 28, 2026, with defending champions RCB hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Which venues are hosting IPL 2026 matches?
The confirmed venues include Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. Some teams have split home venues across two grounds this season.
When is the IPL 2026 captains meeting?
The IPL 2026 captains and managers meeting is scheduled for March 26 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai at 12:30 PM, two days before the tournament begins.
