The Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) is likely to begin on 28 March, with the final scheduled to be played on May 31, India Today has learnt. The tournament was initially expected to get under way on March 26, however, the start date has now been pushed back by two days.
While the change is minor, it will give a bit more time to build up for the franchises and all stakeholders ahead of the new season. An IPL Governing Council meeting will be convened next week to formally ratify the revised dates. The meeting is expected to provide official confirmation of the schedule, including the opening fixture and the venue for the final.
Once approved, the complete schedule with venues will be unveiled for the fans, which will set the stage for another two months of high-profile T20 action. According to sources, the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming season has been delayed as the dates for the Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are yet to be finalised.
Kolkata (West Bengal) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu) are set to host the home matches of Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings respectively, while Guwahati, the capital of Assam, is likely to serve as the second home venue for Rajasthan Royals.
Earlier, a BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) official had said that the schedule has been delayed due to potential clashes with election and counting dates. Security constraints could force venue changes, requiring complex adjustments. The board is awaiting clarity from authorities and may consider releasing the schedule in two phases if needed.
Will Chinnaswamy Stadium host RCB’s opening game?
Apart from the elections, stadium availability is another major concern due to the ongoing T20 World Cup. Five of the 10 IPL venues, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Ahmedabad, are currently hosting World Cup matches and will need time for handover and preparations before the IPL begins.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will go into the new season as the defending champions, having claimed their maiden IPL title last season with a six-run victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. RCB will also feature in the opening game of the season, but the uncertainty about the venue remains due to the ongoing safety enhancement works at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
