The Indian Premier League 2026 season will officially begin on March 28, according to an announcement by broadcaster Star Sports on Sunday. The announcement came just ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final 2026 between India national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Originally, the IPL was scheduled to start on March 26, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revised the date due to assembly elections in five states and union territories—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal, and Puducherry. The complete schedule of the tournament is yet to be released.
IPL 2026 Schedule May Be Released in Two Phases
Because elections will take place during the tournament period, the BCCI is expected to release the IPL schedule in two phases, a practice followed in the past when elections coincided with the league.
Since the IPL began in 2008, the schedule has been split during election years such as 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024, when either general elections or state polls required logistical adjustments and security planning.
Key IPL Venues in Election States
Three major stadiums located in poll-bound states are part of the IPL venue list this year:
- MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai, home ground of Chennai Super Kings
- Eden Gardens in Kolkata, home ground of Kolkata Knight Riders
- Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, which serves as the second home venue of the Rajasthan Royals
Security arrangements and election-related restrictions in these states are the main reason behind the schedule adjustments.
Opening and Final Matches to Be Played in Bengaluru
The opening match and the IPL 2026 final will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
According to Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary Santosh Menon, the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host their five home matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The franchise will play its remaining two home matches at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
RCB Enter IPL 2026 as Defending Champions
In the IPL 2025 Final, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings by six runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, claiming the title.
Traditionally, the IPL opening match, Qualifier 2, and the final are held at the home venue of the defending champions. Last season, the opening match took place at Eden Gardens, the home ground of the 2024 champions Kolkata Knight Riders. Following the same tradition, this year’s marquee matches will be staged in Bengaluru.
IPL 2026 Season Window
During the IPL auction held in Abu Dhabi in December 2025, the BCCI had informed franchises that the 2026 season would run from March 26 to May 31. With the revised start date now expected to be March 28, the final is still likely to remain on May 31, which falls on a Sunday—a preferred day for major sporting finals.
The full IPL 2026 schedule, match fixtures, and venues are expected to be announced soon by the BCCI.