IPL 2026 start may be pushed back by two days

The start of the IPL 2026 season could be pushed back by a couple of days, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) yet to lock in a final opening date. While no official confirmation has been issued, March 28 appears the likelier option—with March 29 also under consideration—and a formal announcement is expected within the coming week.

The BCCI had earlier announced that the season would begin on March 26, a date conveyed to the franchises during December's IPL auction in Abu Dhabi. The initial window communicated was between March 26 and May 31. There is no immediate indication yet on whether the final will also be pushed back.

The franchises have not been formally informed, but informal talk of a slight postponement is circulating among the teams. The BCCI has not announced the full IPL season schedule yet due to impending elections to four state assemblies—Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and West Bengal—whose dates are expected to clash with the season in some cities.

The original plan was to announce the full programme once the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the assembly election dates. However, with time running out and pressure from franchises mounting, there is a likelihood that the board may initially release a partial schedule, followed by the complete fixtures once the election programme is announced.

Such a practice would not be unprecedented, as a similar plan was adopted in 2019, the year of the general election, though no final decision has been taken yet. It is still unclear when the ECI will announce the election dates, but indications are that the BCCI could release some form of partial or tentative schedule in the first week of March.

BCCI-broadcasters-franchise meet

Meanwhile, the BCCI brought together various stakeholders—mainly the broadcaster JioHotstar and all 10 franchises—to discuss ways of building pre-season excitement. Representatives met at the BCCI office last Tuesday, with three franchises attending virtually, to deliberate on how the broadcaster and teams could align their efforts to match the build-up levels seen in leagues such as the NFL and NBA.

Discussions were held on how to maximise publicity and generate interest through both traditional and social media. Players will play a key role in igniting the build-up, though they generally report to their franchises only about a week before the season. Strategies were also explored to maximise their participation in creating pre-launch momentum.