The Indian Premier League 2026 will begin on March 28, two days later than initially planned, with the final set for May 31. The adjustment accommodates pending assembly election dates in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, affecting key venues. The IPL Governing Council plans to finalize the schedule next week.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revised the IPL 2026 window to run from March 28 to May 31, following informal notifications to stakeholders. Originally, franchises were informed during the December 2025 auction in Abu Dhabi that the season would start on March 26 and end on May 30 or 31. This slight postponement addresses logistical challenges from upcoming assembly elections in three states hosting IPL matches.
Eden Gardens in Kolkata, home to Kolkata Knight Riders, M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai for Chennai Super Kings, and Guwahati as a secondary venue for Rajasthan Royals, are among the affected grounds. The Election Commission of India has yet to announce poll dates, prompting the IPL Governing Council to delay the full schedule release. In past election years—2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024—the IPL has released fixtures in two phases to manage security and administrative demands.
The tournament opener will feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who won the 2025 title by six runs against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. However, RCB's seven home games at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium remain under review following a stampede during last year's victory celebrations that resulted in 11 deaths. The Karnataka government cleared the venue on February 12, 2026, after safety upgrades by the Karnataka State Cricket Association, but RCB is discussing alternatives including Navi Mumbai, Raipur, and Pune.
The Governing Council meeting next week will confirm venues, the opener location, and overall fixtures for the 74-match season, ensuring no clashes with elections while prioritizing safety and logistics.
