The IPL governing council has reportedly decided on the dates for the season opener and the final for the upcoming edition of the tournament.
IPL 2026 to run from March 28 to May 31 - report
As per an ESPNCricinfo report, the IPL 2026’s opening date has been pushed back by two days, with the season now set to start on March 28, instead of the previously decided March 26. The final of the 19th edition of the league will be played on May 31.
The decision has been taken with an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in the states of West Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu. India’s Election Commission has yet to announce the voting dates for the same, which has prevented the IPL Governing Council from finalising a schedule for IPL 2026.
In 2021, West Bengal elections were held between March 27 and April 29, while in Tamil Nadu, votes were cast on April 6. Assam elections ran from March 27 to April 6 in 2021. The IPL that year started on April 9, but was only played in Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi due to COVID-19 measures, before being shifted to the UAE entirely due to the pandemic.
Notably, Kolkata Knight Riders are based in West Bengal’s capital, and the Chennai Super Kings in Tamil Nadu’s capital. Rajasthan Royals’ second home, Guwahati, is the capital city of Assam.
There is also little clarity on the venue for the season opener. The defending champions are generally awarded the opener, but Royal Challengers Bengaluru have yet to decide on their home stadium for IPL 2026 after a stampede during their victory celebrations at the Chinnaswamy last year saw 11 fans lose their lives.
The Karnataka state government banned the stadium from hosting cricket matches immediately, but it was cleared to host the IPL and international games on February 12 this year after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) implemented new and improved safety measures.
However, the state association decided to award the Ranji Trophy final, which started on February 26, to Hubli, with the Chinnaswamy not well-equipped to host a marquee fixture yet. RCB have also reportedly shortlisted alternate venues, including Navi Mumbai, Pune and Raipur.
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