No Match-Day Practice in IPL 2026 as BCCI Rolls Out New Norms

The BCCI has tightened its operational framework for IPL 2026 with a fresh addendum to the season guidelines, expanding restrictions on training access, match-day preparation, support staff movement, and presentation protocols.

The latest directions, first reported by Cricbuzz, come less than three weeks after franchises received the board’s March 12 practice note, which had already introduced stricter controls on net usage, practice matches, and access to the main square.

This new addendum is not a standalone directive. It builds directly on the March 12 guidelines and, together, the two communications now form a more comprehensive operational code for franchises ahead of the new season. While the earlier note focused mainly on practice surfaces, scheduling windows, and limitations on the main square, the addendum goes further by clearly outlining how teams can train, who can access key areas, how players must travel for practice, and the conduct expected on match days.

Full addendum and what it means for IPL 2026 operations

The additional guidelines sent to team managers state that teams will be allotted two nets in the practice area and one side wicket on the main square for range hitting. At the Mumbai venue, if both teams practise simultaneously, each side will receive two wickets.

The addendum then lays down the following points:

1. No open nets will be allowed.
2. If one team finishes practice early, the other team cannot use those wickets.
3. No practice will be permitted on match days.
4. No fitness tests will be conducted on the main square on match days.
5. On practice days, both during pre-tournament and tournament phases, only accredited staff will be allowed in the dressing room and on the field. Family members and friends must travel separately and can watch from the hospitality area. For extended support staff, including throwdown specialists and net bowlers, details must be submitted to the BCCI for approval, after which non-match-day accreditations will be issued.
6. Players must use the team bus for practice travel, though teams may travel in two batches.
7. For any practice-related requests, the venue manager will serve as the point of contact.

The addendum also outlines specific match-day rules in clear operational terms:

1. PMOA-accredited staff must carry their accreditation. In case they fail to do so, a warning will be issued on the first instance, while a second breach will attract a monetary fine.
2. Despite providing hitting nets, players keep hitting on the LED boards. Teams have been requested to ensure this is avoided.
3. Players and support staff are not to sit in front of the LED boards. The sponsorship team will mark designated areas across the field for substitutes carrying towels and water bottles.
4. Players are to wear the orange and purple caps. In cases where players do not wear caps, they are requested to wear them for the first two overs until the broadcast captures it.
5. In the post-match presentation, floppies and sleeveless jerseys are not allowed. Failure to comply will result in a warning in the first instance. On the second instance, there will be a financial penalty.
6. On match days, similar to the IPL 2025 season, only 12 accredited support staff will be permitted, including the team doctor.

Under the clothing and equipment section, teams have also been instructed to inform the league at least 24 hours in advance in case of any change in jersey numbers.

The significance of this addendum becomes clearer when viewed alongside the March 12 directives. In that earlier communication, the BCCI had already mandated fresh nets for each team, ensuring that one side does not train on surfaces used by the opposition, including for throwdowns. It also specified that if one team finished early, the other could not use its range-hitting wicket.

Teams were allowed up to two practice matches with prior BCCI approval, but these could only be held on side wickets, not on the main square. If conducted under lights, such matches were limited to a maximum duration of 3.5 hours. The board had also prohibited practice sessions and matches on the main square in the four days leading up to a franchise’s first home game, while stating that the state association must provide an alternate venue if required.

From March 16 onwards, teams were to be allotted two nets in the practice area and one wicket on the main square for range hitting. The home team was given priority in selecting training slots, although the away team’s travel schedule and previous match commitments were also to be considered. In case of a clash, the BCCI reserved the right to divide the booking into separate two-hour slots.

Taken together, the March 12 note and the latest addendum leave little ambiguity about how the BCCI intends to manage IPL team operations this season. While the earlier circular focused on training access and pitch usage, the addendum expands the framework into a detailed discipline code covering match-day and practice-day protocols, including access control, transport, staff accreditation, on-field positioning, clothing norms, and presentation procedures.

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