IPL 2026 will begin on March 28, two days after what the BCCI had initially deliberate.
The IPL had knowledgeable the franchises on December 15 2025, a day earlier than the final public sale, that the 2026 version would begin on March 26, however ESPNcricinfo has discovered that the IPL has internally determined to alter the beginning date to March 28, and have the ultimate on May 31.
It is known that the IPL Governing Council will meet subsequent week to finalise the plan for releasing the schedule, which has been delayed as a result of the dates for meeting elections in Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu haven’t been introduced but. While Kolkata (in West Bengal) and Chennai (in Tamil Nadu) are the house bases for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) respectively, Assam’s capital Guwahati is the second venue for Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Since the IPL started in 2008, when the nation has had its normal elections – in 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024 – or a state has had its meeting elections, the schedule has been introduced in two components. The GC is predicted to resolve whether or not to have the identical plan this time too, or anticipate the Election Commission of India to announce the ballot dates for the three states first.
The IPL Governing Council can also be anticipated to debate the place the opening match of the match will likely be performed, as it would characteristic defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Following the stampede throughout RCB’s victory celebrations at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium final June, which resulted within the loss of life of 11 followers, RCB has been concerned in discussions with the Karnataka State Cricket Association on whether or not the workforce’s seven dwelling matches can be performed on the venue or be moved some other place.
RCB had shortlisted a couple of alternate venues, together with Navi Mumbai, Raipur and Pune.
