IPL 2026 Venue List: BCCI Shortlists 18 Stadiums; Major Updates for RCB, CSK, and RR
Visakhapatnam has been shortlisted as one of the venues for IPL 2026. While the countdown to the season has officially begun, the road to the opening match on March 26 is looking more like a tactical chess match than a sprint. Although the BCCI has identified a massive shortlist of 18 venues, several franchises remain locked in high-stakes standoffs with local authorities, and the shadow of the upcoming State Assembly Elections looms large over the final calendar.
In a move to ensure "operational flexibility," the BCCI has shortlisted 18 stadiums across the country. This expanded list allows the league to shift matches quickly if election security becomes an issue in specific states.
| Region | Shortlisted Venues |
|---|---|
| Traditional Hubs | Mumbai (Wankhede & DY Patil), Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur |
| The "Flex" Venues | Dharamshala, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, Pune, New Chandigarh (Mullanpur), Raipur, Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram. |
The Drama in the Dugouts: Franchises Under Pressure
1. The Bengaluru Standback
The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), are currently at loggerheads with the Karnataka government. Despite the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium getting "conditional" clearance after the tragic 2025 stampede, RCB management is reportedly unhappy.
- The Conflict: The government wants the franchise to take "civic liability" for the roads outside the stadium and manage fire safety units.
- The Backup: Don't be surprised if the "Home of RCB" shifts to Raipur or Navi Mumbai this season.
2. The Sanju Samson Factor in Kerala
With Sanju Samson now wearing the Yellow Jersey for CSK, the "Yellow Army" is looking to conquer new territory. Due to the high-security requirements of the Tamil Nadu elections, CSK is likely to play several "home" games at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
3. Rajasthan’s Administrative Nightmare
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are facing a hurdle: the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) hasn’t held internal elections. This administrative vacuum has put Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium in jeopardy. The BCCI has reportedly told RR to keep Guwahati and Pune on speed dial.
Why the Delay?
The BCCI is waiting for the Election Commission of India. With West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Kerala heading to the polls in April-May, the league cannot finalize the travel schedule. We are expecting a "split schedule" announcement—similar to previous election years—where the first 2-3 weeks are revealed first.
What’s Next?
The BCCI has set a hard deadline of January 27 for RCB and RR to finalize their home grounds. Once those names are locked in and the election dates are out, we’ll finally get the full fixture list.
