The Indian Premier League 2026 is set to begin on March 28, with the final scheduled for May 31, according to a report by India Today. The start date has been pushed back by two days from the originally anticipated March 26 opening, a minor shift that nonetheless gives franchises and stakeholders additional time to prepare ahead of the new season.
An IPL Governing Council meeting is expected to be convened next week to formally ratify the revised schedule. The meeting is anticipated to officially confirm the opening fixture, complete venue details, and the host city for the final. Once the council signs off, the full schedule will be released publicly, setting the stage for another two months of high-octane T20 action.
Sources indicate that the delay in announcing the schedule stems from uncertainty over Assembly election dates in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Kolkata and Chennai home to Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings respectively are directly tied to two of these states, while Guwahati in Assam is expected to serve as a second home venue for Rajasthan Royals.
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A BCCI official had earlier confirmed that potential clashes with election and counting dates were behind the scheduling hold-up, noting that security constraints could necessitate venue changes and complex logistical adjustments. The board is awaiting clarity from authorities and has not ruled out releasing the schedule in two phases if required.
Stadium Availability Adds to Scheduling Complexity
Beyond election-related complications, stadium availability poses another significant challenge. Five of the ten IPL venues Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Ahmedabad are currently hosting matches for the ongoing T20 World Cup and will require adequate handover time and ground preparations before IPL action can commence.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are slated to feature in the tournament opener. RCB claimed their maiden IPL title last season with a six-run win over Punjab Kings in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, whether their home ground the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will be ready in time remains uncertain, owing to ongoing safety enhancement works at the venue.