BCCI finalises THESE 18 venues for IPL 2026 - Reports

IPL 2026, as per the reports, will be played across 18 cities in India as BCCI soon will be announcing the full schedule.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is shaping up to be another blockbuster season, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shortlisting 18 venues across the country, as per the reports in Dainik Jargon. While the league is expected to begin on March 26 and conclude with the final on May 31, the official fixture list is yet to be announced due to the upcoming assembly elections in multiple states.

The IPL Governing Council has decided that the final schedule will only be released after the Election Commission of India confirms polling dates. Assembly elections are expected in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry during April–May 2026, several of which are key IPL-hosting regions. Security deployment and logistics during elections remain the primary reason for the delay.

Complete list of IPL 2026 venues

As per current plans, the BCCI, reportedly, has identified the following 18 venues for IPL 2026:

• Chennai
• Delhi
• Lucknow
• Mumbai
• Kolkata
• Ahmedabad
• New Chandigarh
• Hyderabad
• Dharamshala
• Visakhapatnam
• Guwahati
• Jaipur
• Bengaluru
• Pune
• Raipur
• Ranchi
• Navi Mumbai
• Thiruvananthapuram

These venues include a mix of established IPL hubs and emerging cricket centres, allowing the league to maintain nationwide reach while managing operational flexibility.

Despite being on the proposed list, Bengaluru and Jaipur remain uncertain. The IPL Governing Council has asked Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) to confirm by January 27 whether their home fixtures can be hosted at their traditional venues.

RCB, the defending champions, are reportedly exploring alternative options following safety concerns at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has not hosted cricket matches since a tragic stampede incident last year. As a result, DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and Raipur International Cricket Stadium are being considered as backup venues for RCB’s home games.

Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium is also awaiting final clearance, with election-related logistics playing a key role in the decision-making process.

With elections, venue readiness and franchise confirmations still in progress, fans will need to wait a little longer for the official IPL 2026 schedule. Once polling dates are announced, the BCCI is expected to finalise venues and fixtures swiftly, setting the stage for another high-octane IPL season.

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