IPL 2026 start and final dates announced; Know here

The IPL 2026 will clash with the dates of Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 being played in PSL’s window

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the dates for the 2026 season of Indian Premier League (IPL). As per the reports in Cricbuzz, it is learned the league is set to kick-off on 26th March with the finals set to be held on May 31st.

To add more drama, Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 is also set to start on 26th March. Pakistan Super League’s final is set to be played on 3rd May and cricket fans across the world will get to watch high-octane T20 cricket.

Last year too, IPL and PSL matches were held together before both tournaments had to face stoppage due to the Indo-Pak tensions. It is to be noted that both IPL and PSL will be held just 18 days after the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which ends on March 8.

On Tuesday, 369 players are set to go under the hammer in the IPL 2026 auctions. Huge names like Cameron Green, Jonny Bairstow, Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ravi Bishnoi are up for grabs. The event is set to be held in Abu Dhabi in what is set to be a day long event.

Chinnaswamy Stadium’s chances to host opening game of IPL 2026 remain uncertain – Reports

According to reports carried by Cricbuzz, the first game of IPL 2026 being played in Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy stadium is uncertain. Recently, Karnataka government had given a ‘conditional clearance’ for hosting of IPL games at the venue.

Cricbuzz quoted one BCCI official said that the board is hopeful that the opening game of the 2026 season could be held in Bengaluru. The BCCI official was quoted as saying:

“We hope so. The State’s Deputy Chief Minister (DK Shivakumar) himself has said so.”

DK Shivakumar gives his views on Bengaluru hosting IPL games

As per the tradition, it is the IPL title holders who tend to play the opening game of the season. Karnataka’s deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar was quoted by media houses as saying:

“We have decided about the IPL matches. We are positive. We have asked our Home Minister G Parameshwara to have a meeting with them (KSCA authorities). Parameshwara will discuss with the Cricket Association. The Home Minister will deal with it.”

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