The upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off on March 28, with the grand final scheduled for May 31, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo. While the tournament was initially expected to begin on March 26, the dates have reportedly been pushed back by a couple of days.
The IPL Governing Council is expected to meet next week to formalise the schedule before making an official announcement. The delay in releasing the fixtures is understood to be linked to the yet-to-be-announced dates for assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Schedule Delay Linked to Assembly Elections
“It is understood that the IPL Governing Council will meet next week to finalise the plan for releasing the schedule, which has been delayed because the dates for assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have not been announced yet,” the report stated.
This is only the fifth time in IPL history that the tournament window has overlapped with either India’s general elections or state assembly polls. On previous occasions, the Governing Council opted to release the schedule in two phases to accommodate logistical and security considerations. A decision on whether to adopt a similar approach this year will reportedly be taken during the upcoming meeting.
Impact on Key Home Venues
The poll-bound states are home to several IPL franchises, adding a layer of complexity to scheduling.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), three-time champions, play their home matches in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time winners, are based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR), the inaugural IPL champions, use Guwahati in Assam as their second home venue.
With elections potentially affecting security deployment and administrative arrangements in these states, the final match schedule will likely be carefully structured to avoid clashes with key polling dates.
Tournament Opener Featuring RCB Under Review
The Governing Council is also expected to deliberate on the venue for the tournament opener, which will feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
However, uncertainty surrounds RCB’s home ground situation following the tragic stampede during the franchise’s victory celebrations at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last June. The incident claimed 11 lives and prompted widespread concern over crowd management and safety protocols.
Since then, the Bengaluru-based franchise has been engaged in discussions with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) regarding whether RCB’s seven home games for the upcoming season can continue to be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium or if an alternative venue should be considered.
According to the report, RCB has shortlisted a few backup options, including Navi Mumbai, Raipur and Pune, in case the need arises to shift their home fixtures.
What to Expect Next
With the Governing Council meeting scheduled for next week, clarity on the complete IPL 2026 schedule — including venues, match timings, and whether it will be released in phases — is expected soon.
As anticipation builds for the 19th edition of the cash-rich T20 league, fans will be closely watching developments, particularly concerning RCB’s home matches and how the league navigates scheduling around the crucial state elections.