IPL 2026 Schedule Finalised: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially confirmed the timeline for the next edition of the Indian Premier League, with IPL 2026 to run from March 26 to May 31, BCCI informs franchises. The dates were revealed during a pre-auction meeting between IPL officials and franchise representatives held in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening, just ahead of the much-anticipated mega auction.
According to the briefing delivered by IPL CEO Hemang Amin, IPL 2026 Schedule Finalised: the tournament will begin on Thursday, March 26, and conclude with the final on Sunday, May 31. While the dates are locked in, the venue for the opening match remains undecided, with the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru still under scrutiny.
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Opening Match Venue Still in Doubt
Traditionally, the IPL opener is hosted by the defending champions, but uncertainty surrounds Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium following the tragic stampede incident during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory celebrations earlier this year. The incident, which resulted in at least 11 fatalities and multiple injuries, prompted the Karnataka government to suspend approvals for large-scale events at the venue.
Although the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has reportedly received conditional clearance to host matches, it hinges on meeting strict safety and security guidelines. A senior BCCI official expressed cautious optimism, stating that discussions are ongoing and that the state’s Deputy Chief Minister has indicated a positive outlook.
IPL 2026 Schedule Finalised: Despite this, the BCCI has already shifted major fixtures like Women’s World Cup matches away from Bengaluru, underlining the seriousness of the situation.
Auction Register Expanded With Late Inclusions
Another major development ahead of the auction is the unprecedented expansion of the player pool. The BCCI confirmed the addition of 19 late entrants to the auction register, including India A captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been slotted at No. 360. With these additions, the total number of players available at the auction has risen to 369.
IPL 2026 Schedule Finalised: IPL Franchise officials have noted that such a high number of late inclusions is rare, if not unprecedented. A maximum of 77 players can be bought, provided all franchises complete their 25-player squads.
Overseas Player Availability Clarified
The BCCI has also assured franchises that most overseas players will be available for the majority of the season. While Bangladesh players may miss a brief window in April due to international commitments, other availability concerns have been clearly outlined. Players like Josh Inglis, Ashton Agar, William Sutherland, Adam Milne, and Rilee Rossouw are expected to feature only partially.
As preparations intensify, IPL 2026 Schedule Finalised; to run from March 26 to May 31, BCCI informs franchises stands as the central takeaway, setting the stage for another blockbuster season of franchise cricket.
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