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The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League is expected to run from March 28 to May 31, following a slight adjustment from the originally indicated March 26 start. According to ESPNcricinfo, the change is linked to pending assembly election schedules in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, which have delayed the release of the full fixture list.
The IPL Governing Council will meet next week to finalize the schedule and venue allocations. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are slated to feature in the season opener, though uncertainty remains over their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The venue has been under scrutiny since last year’s tragic stampede during title celebrations that claimed 11 lives.
Discussions are ongoing between the franchise and the Karnataka State Cricket Association regarding the feasibility of hosting seven home fixtures in Bengaluru. As contingency, alternate venues including Pune, Navi Mumbai, and Raipur have been shortlisted.
Meanwhile, Kolkata and Chennai are expected to host matches as usual, while Guwahati—previously used by Rajasthan Royals—remains part of the broader venue matrix under consideration. A formal announcement is anticipated after the Governing Council meeting.
