IPL 2026 Schedule: BCCI to reveal partial dates ahead of 19th edition

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), according to the reports, are going to reveal the partial schedule of 20 days for the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the final happening on this date.

Subhradeep Choudhury

Published - Mar 5, 2026, 10:44 IST | Updated - Mar 5, 2026, 10:44 IST

3 mins read

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The 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, which will host its first game of any age group for the very first time since the previous IPL edition. The final, on the other hand, is scheduled to be held on May 31. As per the tradition of the league, the winners will be part of the curtain raiser.

That means Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who won their first season of the event last year against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, will play the opening game. However, their opposition side is yet to be finalized as of now in the competition.

“Yes, IPL 2026 will begin on March 28 in Bengaluru, and the final will be held on May 31. The schedule of the first 20 days of IPL-2026 will be announced soon (in a day or two), while the schedule of the rest of the IPL schedule will be announced after the Election Commission of India announces the dates for elections.” The BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia, expressed, as per the reports of the Times of India (TOI).

IPL 2026 to begin on March 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru

In the previous election years, including 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024, the BCCI had released the fixtures of the event in two phases. A day before the IPL auction last year, the governing council of the league informed the franchises that the 2026 edition would begin on March 26, but it was later pushed back to March 28.

There must be concerns for a few franchises to get their overseas players in time for the start of the league, amidst the US-Iran war situation. Many international sides, post the end of the T20 World Cup 2026, have reached home quite late from their scheduled departure.

Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have started their practice session as their former captain, MS Dhoni, has started to spend time in the nets along with the Indian players, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Ayush Mhatre, Prashant Veer, and others.

Tags:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2026 Royal Challengers Bengaluru Chennai Super Kings Virat Kohli Rajat Patidar Indian Premier League

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Subhradeep Choudhury

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Massive cricket lover and follower of world cricket since mid 2000s. Like to frame the game through stats and numbers. Bit old-school cricket lover, who always get encouraged by Test cricket. Questions few complex rules which baffle the new viewers of the game. Have been working as a cricket writer for more than 5 years.