The IPL 2026 season is set for a two-phase schedule announcement, with Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium positioned to host both the tournament’s opening match and the final.
The Indian Premier League Governing Council recently cleared the first batch of fixtures in an online meeting. According to a Cricbuzz report, the initial schedule—covering approximately the first 13 to 14 days of the competition—is expected to be released on March 6 or 7.
This step-by-step approach to publishing the full fixture list follows the BCCI’s pattern in previous years affected by elections. The complete schedule remains pending due to the yet-to-be-announced dates for assembly elections in states including West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu.
The tournament is projected to begin in late March, with March 28 or 29 emerging as the most likely starting dates. In line with established IPL practice, the defending champions will host the season opener at their home venue. Royal Challengers Bengaluru has confirmed they will play five league matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, making it the confirmed location for the opening fixture.
Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary Santosh Menon has also verified that the ground will stage one playoff match in addition to the final.
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The BCCI has already fixed the date of the final for May 31.
In separate communication to the franchises, BCCI acting CEO and IPL COO Hemang Amin stated that practice session guidelines would be circulated next week. Franchises were further informed that No Objection Certificates for overseas players are expected to be issued in an upcoming batch.
The phased schedule release strategy enables the league to manage uncertainties tied to the election calendar while keeping preparations on track for what is expected to be another fiercely contested season of the world’s premier T20 franchise competition.