IPL 2026 Postponed; Season Now Begins March 28

The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season is now scheduled to begin on March 28, two days later than originally communicated to the franchises, with the final match set for May 31, according to ESPNcricinfo.

The slight delay comes as the IPL Governing Council awaits the official announcement of assembly election dates in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, states that host several key IPL venues. Eden Gardens in Kolkata and M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, home grounds for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), are among the affected stadiums, along with Guwahati’s venue for Rajasthan Royals (RR).

The season opener will feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, the location for RCB’s seven home matches remains under discussion following last year’s tragic stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in 11 fatalities during celebrations. Talks between RCB and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) are ongoing to determine whether the games can safely be hosted in Bengaluru or if alternative venues—such as Navi Mumbai, Raipur, or Pune—will be used.

The IPL Governing Council is expected to finalize the full schedule next week, taking into account logistical challenges, election timelines, and safety measures, ahead of the much-anticipated 2026 season.