The schedule of the IPL 2026 playoffs may change due to rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia and rising fuel prices in India. The Chamber of Trade and Industry has urged the Union Sports Ministry to hold matches behind closed doors and reduce the number of venues as cost-cutting measures.
The playoff stage is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 26. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have qualified by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS). Gujarat Titans (GT), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are still fighting for the remaining three playoff spots.
IPL 2026 playoffs behind closed doors?
CTI President Brijesh Goyal urged Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to reduce the number of venues and limit crowd attendance during the IPL 2026 playoffs. He said that these measures will support national interests by reducing fuel consumption and reducing the overall carbon footprint of the tournament.
“Reducing air travel, holding matches without spectators and at limited venues will save millions of liters of fuel, petrol and diesel and reduce the burden on the country,” Goyal said.
According to the trade body, chartered Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft consume 2,400 to 3,000 liters of aviation turbine fuel every hour. The report also claims that an IPL franchise uses around 50,000 to 70,000 liters of fuel through around 10 flights during a season.
Even during the pandemic, BCCI did the same – CTI President
The President of the Board of Trade cited earlier IPL seasons to support his proposal for changes to the tournament schedule. He said the BCCI had previously conducted the league behind closed doors in a bio-secure bubble during the pandemic and suggested that similar measures could be used again if necessary.
He said, “BCCI did the same during the pandemic also.”
The organization also claimed that each IPL match attracts around 50,000 spectators at a venue. According to the trade body, the movement of thousands of fans to and from stadiums on match days puts additional pressure on fuel consumption.
We are accountable to the Government of India – IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal responded to the growing demand to reduce venues and change the playoff schedule. He said that the BCCI will comply with any official instructions issued by the Government of India regarding resource management or tournament conduct.
“So far, to my knowledge, there has been no communication to the BCCI. Independent agencies may have their own opinion on certain things, but we are accountable to the Government of India. If anything comes from the government, we will look into it and will definitely follow the instructions,” Dhumal told The New Indian Express.
BCCI has not yet announced any official changes to the IPL 2026 playoff schedule. The tournament began on March 28 and the board is closely monitoring the situation before taking any decisions.
Also read: ICC plans major changes in WTC! The proposal of expansion to 12 teams and a test series is under discussion.
