BCCI Confirms No Schedule Changes for IPL 2026 Matches in Guwahati Despite Assam Election Overlap
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the Rajasthan Royals‘ home matches in Guwahati will proceed as originally scheduled for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), unaffected by the upcoming Assam state assembly elections.
The Election Commission of India recently scheduled the Assam assembly elections for a single phase on April 9. Despite the security demands associated with concurrent elections and major sporting events, state authorities have guaranteed adequate policing and logistical support.
Guwahati IPL 2026 Match Schedule
The ACA Stadium in Guwahati serves as a secondary home ground for the Rajasthan Royals and will host three encounters during the initial phase of the tournament.
| Date | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| March 30 | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati |
| April 7 | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians | Guwahati |
| April 10 | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati |
State Authorities Assure Adequate Security
BCCI Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia explicitly ruled out any venue shifts, confirming successful discussions with top state officials. “There will be no rescheduling of IPL matches in Guwahati in Assam. I have already spoken to the honorable Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Guwahati Commissioner of Police, Partha Sarathi Mahanta,” Saikia stated. Both officials assured the board that the state possesses the necessary infrastructure and security personnel to manage the electoral process and the cricket matches simultaneously.
Impact on the Remaining IPL 2026 Schedule
The BCCI initially released the schedule for the first 20 matches of the tournament. The remainder of the IPL 2026 schedule depends on ongoing security dialogues with state cricket associations located in other poll-bound regions.
- Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry: Elections on April 9
- Tamil Nadu: Elections on April 23
- West Bengal: Phased elections on April 23 and April 29
To finalize a seamless tournament schedule, the BCCI is currently conducting talks with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). According to Saikia, the remaining fixtures will be finalized and announced in due course based on these regional security assessments, ensuring the tournament continues without disruption.