The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season will officially start on March 28, 2026. The tournament will run for over two months, with the final scheduled for May 31, 2026. The start date was slightly pushed from the earlier expected March 26 window. The season will follow the same format as usual, league stage matches followed by playoffs and the grand finals.
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Full Schedule To Be Released In Two Phases
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not released the entire fixtures list. Instead of that, the board had decided to announce the schedule in two parts. The first phase will include the opening matches and early fixtures, while the second phase will include the remaining league matches and playoff details.
Why Is There a Delay?
The primary reason behind the delay is the upcoming state assembly elections. Elections are expected in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu during the ipl window. All these states host major IPL venues such as Kolkata, Chennai, and Guwahati. Since elections need heavy police and security deployment, the BCCI wants clarity on polling dates before confirming match schedules in these cities.
When Will the First Phase Be Announced?
Reports suggest that the first phase of fixtures is likely to be announced around March 6 or 7, 2026. On the other hand, the second phase will follow once the Election Commission officially confirms the polling schedule, assuring there is no clash between IPL matches and election duties.
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Venue Update: RCB Home Matches
There is clarity regarding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). They are the defending champions and are expected to play five home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, while two more home games may be played in Raipur. Venue finalization was also one of the logistical factors considered before releasing the full schedule.