IPL 2026 news: The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been pushed back by two days, sources said on Friday. The tournament, which was slated to begin on March 26, 2026, will now kick off on March 28, 2026. However, its finals will proceed as originally scheduled on May 31, 2026.

IPL 2026 news: Full schedule awaited

With only a month remaining for the tournament’s curtain-raiser, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has still not announced the schedule. Reportedly, the tournament’s deferment comes amid Election Commission’s unannounced date for polling dates in states like Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. It is noteworthy that the polls are expected to impact the franchises participating in IPL, such as Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.

Schedule likely to be announced in a phased manner

Owing to the uncertainty of the polling dates, the BCCI will likely release the IPL 2026 schedule in two phases. This is, however, not the first time that the IPL starting dates have been altered. Notably, in previous election years, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024, the BCCI had adopted a similar approach.

Cricket enthusiasts are awaiting the official fixture list as the countdown to IPL 2026 begins.

RCB seized the IPL 2025 trophy

In the finals of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru had pulverized Punjab Kings by 6 runs to win their maiden title, ending an 18-year-long drought. The team scripted history at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.