The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to move the remaining IPL 2026 matches behind closed doors and reduce the number of host venues, arguing the tournament’s travel-heavy schedule is contributing to unnecessary fuel consumption during a period of nationwide conservation efforts. In a formal letter sent to the Sports Ministry, CTI proposed revising the remainder of the IPL calendar to centralise fixtures and reduce both franchise travel and spectator movement as fuel prices continue to remain under pressure across India.
The request comes with the tournament entering its final phase. Only a limited number of league-stage matches remain before the playoffs begin later this month, with Dharamsala scheduled to host Qualifier 1 and Mullanpur set to stage the Eliminator and Qualifier 2. The IPL 2026 final is currently scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31.
CTI pushes for revised IPL schedule
The trade body argued that the tournament’s current structure has resulted in extensive air and road travel since the competition began on March 31. In the letter to Mandaviya, CTI stated, “CTI demands that, in order to reduce air travel, a revised schedule should be issued for the remaining IPL matches. The rest of the tournament should be conducted at limited venues and behind closed doors, without spectators. During the Covid-19 period as well, organisers successfully conducted the IPL across a limited number of venues. Similarly, the remaining matches can also be held without spectators.”
CTI pointed to the IPL’s pandemic-era operations as evidence that the tournament could still be completed successfully under restricted conditions. The organisation argued that limiting the number of venues would reduce long-distance logistical movement for franchises and officials during the closing stretch of the season.
Brijesh Goyal, CTI Chairman, wrote in the letter, “Since the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on March 31, teams must have collectively travelled several lakh kilometres by air and road. Given the current scheduling and the way matches have been distributed across different cities, such travel may appear justified. However, under the present circumstances, these frequent air journeys could place additional pressure on the Government of India.”
Spectator movement and fuel usage highlighted
The letter also focused on the scale of public travel linked to IPL fixtures, with CTI claiming packed stadiums are contributing to higher fuel consumption in host cities. Multiple IPL venues have continued to attract large crowds throughout the season as the playoff race intensifies.
CTI stated in the letter, “This is because an average IPL match attracts around 50,000 spectators, resulting in the consumption of thousands of litres of petrol and diesel.”
The organisation argued that reducing crowd attendance for the remainder of the season would significantly lower petrol and diesel consumption linked to local commuting, stadium operations and associated transport activity around matchdays.
CTI estimates aviation fuel consumption by franchises
A major part of the submission centred on the use of chartered aircraft by IPL franchises throughout the season. Teams have continued to travel frequently between venues as the league schedule moves across multiple Indian cities during the two-month tournament window.
Detailing its calculations in the letter, CTI stated, “According to CTI, chartered aircraft commonly used by IPL teams – such as the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 – consume approximately 2,400 to 3,000 litres of fuel per hour on average. Based on this, if a flight lasts around two hours, the estimated consumption would be approximately 5,000 to 6,000 litres of aviation turbine fuel (ATF). If the aircraft is larger or carrying more weight over longer distances, the figure could rise to 7.000 to 8.000 litres.”
The trade body further attempted to quantify total franchise consumption across the competition. CTI stated in the letter, “If this fuel expenditure is multiplied across approximately 10 flights per team, it can be estimated that each team is consuming around 50,000 to 70,000 litres of aviation fuel.”
The IPL’s current format requires teams to travel continuously during the league stage, with matches spread across several venues nationwide before the playoffs begin.
CTI links IPL operations to wider conservation efforts
The letter also connected the IPL’s operational scale to broader national messaging around limiting unnecessary expenditure and conserving resources. Goyal wrote in the communication, “At a time when every government department, politician, official and ordinary citizen is trying to avoid unnecessary expenditure in line with Prime Minister Modi Ji’s advice, the IPL appears to be the only ongoing event seemingly untouched by the crisis.”
The trade body concluded its appeal by reiterating that restricting venues and removing spectators could reduce nationwide fuel usage during the tournament’s final weeks. CTI stated, “If the remaining matches are organised without spectators at limited venues, it would help save lakhs of litres of petroleum products across the country.”
