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IPL 2026: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is likely to begin on March 26, with the final tentatively scheduled for May 31, although fans may
have to wait a little longer for the official fixture list.
The delay comes as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awaits clarity from the Election Commission of India regarding polling dates for the upcoming assembly elections.
During a meeting of the IPL Governing Council on Tuesday, it was reportedly decided that the full schedule will be announced only after election dates are finalised. Assembly polls are expected to take place across April and May in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Kerala, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry. Given the scale of security deployment required during elections, the BCCI is keen to align its planning accordingly.
According to a report by Dainik Jagran, the board has drawn up an extensive list of potential host venues for the 2026 edition, with as many as 18 cities under consideration. These include traditional IPL hubs such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, along with newer or rotational venues like Lucknow, Dharamsala, New Chandigarh, Navi Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, Jaipur, Pune, Ranchi, Raipur and Thiruvananthapuram. Venues in poll-bound states are also part of the proposed list, but their final inclusion will depend on the election schedule.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter the season as defending champions after lifting their maiden IPL title last year. There had been uncertainty surrounding the use of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium following the tragic stampede during RCB's title celebrations, which claimed the lives of 11 fans. However, the state government has since given clearance, and the IPL Governing Body has asked the franchise to confirm their home venue by January 27.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders are also expected to be a major talking point heading into the new season. The three-time champions made headlines at the auction by splashing Rs 25.2 crore on Cameron Green. Their squad also features several high-profile names, including Rachin Ravindra, Matheesha Pathirana, Rovman Powell, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert and Akash Deep, making them one of the most formidable teams on paper.
With venue confirmations and election dates still pending, the countdown to IPL 2026 continues amid anticipation and logistical planning.
