IPL 2026 Schedule: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to officially release the IPL 2026 schedule, as it awaits confirmation from the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding upcoming state elections. According to senior BCCI sources, the decision was discussed during a virtual meeting of the IPL Governing Council.
IPL 2026 Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Organizer | Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) |
| Schedule Status | Awaiting official announcement |
| Reason for Delay | State elections in WB, TN & Assam |
| Expected Start Date | March 26, 2026 (tentative) |
| Expected End Date | May 31, 2026 (tentative) |
| Total Teams | 10 |
| Total Matches | 70 league matches + playoffs |
| Match Timings | 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM IST |
| Key Venues Affected | Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati |
| RR Home Venue Status | Jaipur or Pune (to be confirmed) |
| RCB Home Venue Status | Bengaluru (subject to govt clearance) |
| Official Website | iplt20.com |
Why IPL 2026 Schedule Is Delayed
Elections are scheduled to be held in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu later this year. Since key IPL venues fall within these states, the BCCI is coordinating closely with election authorities to ensure smooth logistics and security planning.
Affected venues include:
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata – Home of Kolkata Knight Riders
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai – Home of Chennai Super Kings
- Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati – One of Rajasthan Royals’ home venues
A BCCI official confirmed that the final IPL 2026 fixture list will be announced only after the ECI releases the official poll schedule.
Rajasthan Royals & RCB Asked to Confirm Home Venues
The BCCI has also given Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) a deadline to finalize their home venues for IPL 2026.
- Rajasthan Royals have expressed interest in hosting matches in Pune, while the Rajasthan government prefers Jaipur
- RCB’s home matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium depend on an unconditional clearance and a revised seating capacity plan from the Karnataka government
“If an unconditional offer with a proper capacity plan is not received within 10 days, hosting matches in Bengaluru will be difficult,” a senior BCCI source stated.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has received provisional approval, subject to compliance with government conditions.
IPL 2026 Overview: What Fans Can Expect
The Indian Premier League 2026 is expected to follow the traditional format, featuring 10 teams, league matches, playoffs, and a grand final. Building on the massive success of IPL 2025, the upcoming season promises high-intensity cricket and packed stadiums.
Expected IPL 2026 Dates
- Tentative start: March 26, 2026
- Tentative final: May 31, 2026
- Official announcement: Expected in February 2026
(Dates subject to confirmation by BCCI)
Read more: IPL prize money 2026
IPL 2026 Match Timings
- Afternoon matches: 3:30 PM IST
- Evening matches: 7:30 PM IST
These timings are expected to remain unchanged from previous seasons.
IPL 2026 Match Structure
- League matches: 70 (14 per team)
- Playoffs: Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, Final
- Top 4 teams qualify based on points table standings
IPL 2026 Playoffs (Tentative)
| Match | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | May 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM |
| Eliminator | May 29, 2026 | 7:30 PM |
| Qualifier 2 | May 30, 2026 | 7:30 PM |
| Final | May 31, 2026 | 7:30 PM |
Venues to be announced
IPL 2026 Venues (Expected)
The tournament is likely to be played across 12 major cities, including:
- Mumbai – Wankhede Stadium
- Chennai – MA Chidambaram Stadium
- Kolkata – Eden Gardens
- Bengaluru – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (subject to clearance)
- Ahmedabad – Narendra Modi Stadium
- Hyderabad – Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
IPL 2026 Tickets: Booking & Prices
How to Book IPL 2026 Tickets Online
Tickets are expected to be available via official partners such as:
- BookMyShow
- District by Zomato
Booking steps:
- Visit the ticketing platform
- Log in or create an account
- Select the match and stadium
- Choose seats and make payment
- Receive e-ticket via email or app
Expected Ticket Prices
- Starting price: ₹500–₹750
- VIP / Hospitality: ₹15,000–₹40,000+
- Prices may increase due to revised GST rates
(Final pricing will be announced by BCCI)
IPL 2026 Teams & Captains (Expected)
All 10 franchises will return for IPL 2026. While most captains are likely to continue, official confirmations are awaited from respective teams.
When Will IPL 2026 Schedule Be Released?
The official IPL 2026 schedule and PDF download will be published on:
- iplt20.com
- BCCI & IPL official social media handles
Fans are advised to rely only on verified BCCI announcements for confirmed match dates and venues.
IPL 2026 Tentative Schedule
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2026 | RCB vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| 01 Apr 2026 | CSK vs MI | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| 02 Apr 2026 | RR vs KKR | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| 03 Apr 2026 | DC vs SRH | 7:30 PM | Delhi |
| 04 Apr 2026 | GT vs LSG | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| 05 Apr 2026 | MI vs RCB | 3:30 PM | Mumbai |
| 05 Apr 2026 | PBKS vs DC | 7:30 PM | Mohali |
| 06 Apr 2026 | KKR vs CSK | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| 07 Apr 2026 | SRH vs GT | 7:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| 08 Apr 2026 | LSG vs RR | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
Note: This is a tentative IPL 2026 schedule based on sources and logical sequencing.
The official IPL 2026 schedule will be released by BCCI on iplt20.com.FAQs
When will the IPL 2026 schedule be announced?
The official IPL 2026 schedule is expected to be announced in February 2026 after the Election Commission of India releases the poll dates for a few states.
Why is the IPL 2026 schedule delayed?
The schedule is delayed due to state elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, as several IPL venues fall in these regions.
When will IPL 2026 start?
As per early indications, IPL 2026 is likely to start on March 26, 2026, though the final dates will be confirmed by the BCCI.
How many teams will play in IPL 2026?
A total of 10 teams will participate in IPL 2026, similar to the previous seasons.
How many matches will be played in IPL 2026?
IPL 2026 is expected to feature 70 league matches, followed by four playoff matches, including the final.
What will be the match timings for IPL 2026?
- Afternoon matches: 3:30 PM IST
- Evening matches: 7:30 PM IST
Which venues are affected due to elections?
Venues in Kolkata (Eden Gardens), Chennai (MA Chidambaram Stadium), and Guwahati (Barsapara Stadium) may see scheduling adjustments due to elections.
Will RCB play home matches in Bengaluru?
RCB’s home matches in Bengaluru depend on final government clearance and stadium capacity approval. A final decision is awaited.
Where can I check the official IPL 2026 schedule?
The confirmed IPL 2026 schedule will be available on the official IPL website – iplt20.com and BCCI’s social media handles.
Where can I book IPL 2026 tickets?
IPL 2026 tickets are expected to be available on BookMyShow and District by Zomato once ticket sales go live.
What is the expected price of IPL 2026 tickets?
Ticket prices may start from around ₹500–₹750 and go up to ₹40,000 or more for premium and hospitality seats.
Will IPL 2026 schedule be available as a PDF?
Yes, once released, the IPL 2026 schedule PDF will be available for download on the official IPL website.
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