IPL 2026: Initial schedule to be announced by March 12
What's the story
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will unveil the schedule for the first 20 days of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) by March 12. Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, announced the same on Tuesday (March 10). The 10-team league is set to be held between March 28 and May 31. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will begin as the defending champions.
Release plan
We are going to announce the IPL schedule: Saikia
On Tuesday, Saikia told IANS, "We plan to announce the IPL 2026 schedule by March 12. For now, we are going to announce the IPL schedule for the first 20 days." The remaining fixtures will be announced later as the BCCI plans to avoid any clash with assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu.
Pre-season preparations
Teams begin pre-season preparations
Despite the uncertainty over the full IPL 2026 schedule, teams have already started their pre-season preparations. Chennai Super Kings began training on March 1 at their High-Performance Centre in Navalur with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni. As per IANS, the Royal Challengers held a small preparation camp at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on February 10. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans practiced twice at Miraj International Cricket Stadium in Nathdwara.
Training camps
Other teams that have trained
Punjab Kings, who trained in Abu Dhabi in early February, are currently running a practice camp in Dharamsala. Sunrisers Hyderabad's training camp began on March 1 with domestic players. While the five-time champions Mumbai Indians have also begun training, Rajasthan Royals are expected to assemble for a practice camp in Jaipur from March 15.
Venue announcement
RCB's home ground to host IPL final
Saikia's update comes just days after it was announced that RCB's home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, will host the IPL 2026 final. The venue will also host several group-stage matches of the defending champion and playoff matches during the tournament. This decision is significant as operations at the iconic stadium had been suspended since June last year due to a stampede during RCB's IPL 2025 title celebrations that left 11 dead and many injured.