IPL 2026 start date changed: Full details of revised schedule inside

After the end of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, India and world cricket will enter the IPL fever, as IPL 2026 is around the corner. While the IPL 2026 full schedule has been delayed, the start date has been changed. 

IPL 2026 has new starting date

Just ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, it was announced that IPL 2026 would start on March 26. However, according to the latest ESPNcricinfo report, the start date for the IPL 2026 has been shifted to March 28, while it will end on the original date, May 31. 

Why has the IPL 2026 schedule been delayed?

The delay for the IPL 2026 schedule reveal has a reason, as there are assembly elections for several states, and the election dates have not been announced yet. These states are Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. 

While West Bengal is the home of the Kolkata Knight Riders (Eden Gardens in Kolkata) and Tamil Nadu is the home of the Chennai Super Kings (MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai), Assam is the second home venue for the Rajasthan Royals (Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati).

According to the ESPNcricinfo report, the IPL Governing Council is likely to meet next week to finalise the plan for the IPL 2026 fixture. 

In the case of general elections or multiple state elections, IPL generally brings a season schedule in two parts. So, the IPL Governing Council can go with the same method for the IPL 2026 schedule, especially if the three states' election dates are yet to be known during the fixture set-up. 

Where will RCB play IPL 2026?

Meanwhile, there is also talk about the home fixtures of the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Whether the original home venue, M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host all RCB's home matches of the IPL 2026, where victory celebrations went wrong last June, with a result in 11 deaths, or the home matches will be shifted to any other venue. 

According to the ESPNcricinfo report, the RCB has shortlisted some alternative venues, including Pune, Navi Mumbai, Raipur, etc.