IPL 2026 Set to Begin March 28 with Opener in Bengaluru

The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will begin on March 28, marking the start of another season of franchise cricket in India.

The start date was confirmed by the official broadcaster ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final, bringing clarity for teams, organisers and fans.

The tournament, the 19th season of the IPL, is scheduled to run until May 31, 2026. The season will feature 10 teams and is expected to include 84 matches played across several cities in India.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are expected to host the opening match of the tournament. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is likely to stage both the opening game, placing the city at the centre of the season’s key event. 

• IPL 2026 to begin March 28 with Bengaluru hosting opener
• M. Chinnaswamy Stadium set for IPL 2026 opening and final
• BCCI to release full IPL 2026 schedule ahead of tournament

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet released the full IPL 2026 schedule. Officials are expected to publish the detailed fixtures closer to the start of the tournament. In previous seasons, the league has sometimes released the schedule in phases, with the first set of matches announced earlier and the remaining fixtures confirmed later.

The Indian Premier League remains one of the most watched and commercially successful T20 cricket leagues in world cricket. Since its launch in 2008, the tournament has drawn leading international and Indian players, large television audiences and significant sponsorship.

Teams have already begun preparations for the season after completing IPL player transfers and squad selections in recent months. Franchises are expected to begin IPL training camps and team activities as the start of the tournament approaches.

Also Read: India Clinch Third ICC T20 World Cup Title Victory Over New Zealand

The league stage will be followed by the playoff rounds, where the top four teams in the standings will compete for a place in the final. The winner of the final will be crowned the IPL 2026 champion.