IPL 2026 first phase schedule out, player travel challenges loom amid West Asia crisis

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday released the first phase of IPL 2026 , with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the season opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on March 28 .

The announcement comes amid concerns over player travel arrangements following the ongoing West Asia conflict , which has disrupted international flights. Several players from South Africa and the West Indies are yet to return home after the T20 World Cup. A team official said, "There was a substantial delay in departure of West Indies and South Africa players. It would be a tough task to get them back to India on time. Plus, airfares have surged due to the war."

Safety and venue preparedness remain a priority. All matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium require clearance from a Karnataka government-appointed expert committee, scheduled to meet on March 13 to assess the stadium following last season’s deadly stampede.

The first 20 matches will be played while the full schedule awaits the announcement of elections in Tamil Nadu, Assam, and West Bengal, which may affect match dates.

The opening weekend will see RCB take on Sunrisers Hyderabad , followed by Mumbai Indians hosting Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. There will be no double-headers during the opening weekend.

During this phase, RCB will play five home matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur. Punjab Kings will host four games in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamshala, while Rajasthan Royals will split home fixtures between Guwahati (three) and Jaipur (four). The first 16 days of the tournament will feature four double-headers, with afternoon matches at 3:30 PM IST and evening matches at 7:30 PM IST.

As IPL 2026 gears up, the combination of election schedules, venue approvals, and international travel delays presents a unique challenge for organizers and teams. Fans can look forward to high-intensity cricket, but ensuring player availability and smooth logistics will be crucial in the opening weeks.