IPL 2026 Schedule To be Announced on THIS DATE, BCCI Secretary Saikia Confirms!

The excitement around the Indian Premier League continues to grow as fans eagerly wait for the official schedule of the 2026 season. Now, there is finally some clarity. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the schedule for IPL 2026 will be released very soon.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has stated to @cricbuzz that the board is planning to announce the IPL 2026 schedule within the next couple of days. According to him, the schedule is expected to be released on March 12, and at the latest by March 13.

IPL 2026 to Begin on March 28

The 19th edition of the IPL is set to begin on March 28, 2026, and the tournament will run until May 31, 2026. However, fans will initially get to see only part of the schedule.

Saikia confirmed that the BCCI will release the schedule for the first 20 days of the tournament in the first phase. The remaining matches will be announced later.

The reason behind this staggered approach is the upcoming assembly elections scheduled in several Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, and Kerala. Since these elections require large-scale security arrangements, the IPL schedule has been planned carefully to avoid clashes with the polling dates.

Two-Phase Schedule Plan

The BCCI had already discussed this two-phase scheduling idea earlier with the IPL Governing Council. With elections likely to take place in multiple states during the IPL window, the board decided that announcing the schedule in parts would help maintain smooth organization of the tournament.

Saikia also mentioned that the BCCI is waiting for final confirmations from a few match venues before announcing the schedule for the first phase.

Interestingly, this season will feature one new venue, Raipur, which will host IPL matches alongside the regular cities that are traditionally part of the tournament.

Opening Matches and Early Fixtures

While the official schedule is yet to be released, some early match details are already emerging.

Reports suggest that Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending champions, are expected to play in the opening match of the tournament. They could face the Chennai Super Kings, which would make for a blockbuster start given the popularity of both franchises.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings, the runners-up from IPL 2025, are likely to begin their campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 29 at their home ground in Mullanpur.

Before the tournament begins, the BCCI has scheduled its annual meeting with IPL captains and coaches. This meeting will take place in Mumbai on March 25, where the board usually discusses new rules and any important changes for the upcoming season. Additionally, the traditional captains’ photoshoot is planned for March 15 in New Delhi.

Teams have already started preparing for the season. Rajasthan Royals are expected to begin their practice camp in Jaipur from March 15, while Kolkata Knight Riders will start their training camp on March 18. Other franchises have also begun early preparations in different cities.

No Change in Tournament End Date

Despite various logistical challenges, including global concerns such as fuel supply issues due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the BCCI has confirmed that the IPL schedule remains unaffected.

Saikia reassured that the tournament will not extend beyond May 31, ensuring that the IPL window remains intact.