IPL 2026 set to be DELAYED due to THIS reason; Know here
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The IPL 2026 was expected to kick start on March 26.
The cricketing world is currently enjoying the T20 World Cup 2026 action, but the most entertaining competition awaits fans as the Indian Premier League (IPL) is just around the corner. Stars from across the world will battle it out for nearly two months, in what is expected to be another season of drama and thrilling matches.
Uncertainty though looms over the start of the IPL. This is because the T20 World Cup event ends in close proximity to the IPL, which gives players less time to recover. The T20 World Cup 2026 final is set to take place on March 8 in Ahmedabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier announced that the IPL 2026 season will begin on March 26.
However, reports in Cricbuzz now suggest that the starting date has been slightly pushed back.
When will IPL 2026 be held?
While official confirmation is pending, reports confirm that the original plan to begin the IPL 2026 event on March 26 has now been canceled. This was told by BCCI to all teams during the auction which was held in Abu Dhabi in the fag end of 2025.
However the franchises have been now informally told about the postponement, with the new opening date potentially being March 28 or 29. Though the starting date is expected to change, the IPL might still end on May 31, with possibly couple of extra double headers to make up for the delay.
Moreover, the uncertainty grows with the schedule yet to be released. The BCCI awaits the election dates for states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, which could affect hosting the tournament in these regions.
According to Cricbuzz, BCCI might release a partial schedule with the Election Commission of India yet to announce assembly election dates. This would be similar to what was followed in 2019, when Lok Sabha elections were carried out across the nation.
When was IPL 2026 expected to start?
It was originally scheduled to begin on March 26.
Has IPL 2026 been delayed?
Yes, sources confirm that the start has been pushed by two days minimum.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.