IPL 2026 to Begin on March 28, Full Schedule Expected Soon

New Delhi, March 2026 : The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will begin on March 28, 2026, according to an announcement by official broadcaster Star Sports. The confirmation came ahead of the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, generating excitement among cricket fans as the countdown to the new IPL season begins.

With less than three weeks left for the start of the tournament, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to release the IPL schedule soon. According to reports, the schedule may be announced in two phases. The dates and venues for the first half of the season are likely to be released on Monday, while the remaining fixtures will be confirmed later.

Teams have already begun preparations for the upcoming season. Several franchises have started training camps, although some squads are currently operating with partial strength due to international commitments of players. At the same time, a few teams have also unveiled their new jerseys, adding to the anticipation among fans.

The delay in releasing the complete schedule has been mainly due to uncertainties regarding certain venues. In particular, the home grounds of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were still under discussion. Additionally, the BCCI has been working to ensure that IPL matches do not clash with upcoming elections in several Indian states.

The venues for the matches will be finalised after taking into account the election schedule so that both the cricket tournament and the electoral process can take place without logistical issues. State assembly elections are expected to be held between March and May in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry. As the Election Commission is still finalising the polling dates, the BCCI has not yet confirmed the complete 84-match schedule for the tournament.

As defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play the opening match of the season at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. The opponent for the opening game will be revealed once the official schedule is announced.

RCB enter the new season with strong momentum after winning their first-ever IPL title in 2025. The Bengaluru-based franchise ended an 18-year wait for the trophy by defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling final. In that match, RCB posted a total of 190 for 9, while Punjab Kings finished with 184 for 7.

All-rounder Krunal Pandya was named Player of the Match for his crucial contribution with both bat and ball during the final.

Individually, several players delivered standout performances last season. Sai Sudharsan of the Gujarat Titans won the prestigious Orange Cap after scoring 759 runs in the tournament. Meanwhile, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna claimed the Purple Cap with 25 wickets.

Star batter Suryakumar Yadav was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title for his consistent and impactful performances throughout the season.

The previous edition of the IPL also saw the rise of exciting young talent. One of the biggest stories was teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest player to debut in the IPL and grabbed headlines by scoring a remarkable century at just 14 years of age.

With preparations already underway and fans eagerly waiting for the full schedule, the upcoming IPL season promises another thrilling chapter in one of the world’s most popular cricket leagues.