The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin on Thursday, March 26, and conclude on Sunday, May 31, 2026, marking another long and action-packed season of the world’s biggest T20 league. The dates were finalised during a high-level meeting between IPL officials and representatives of all 10 franchises in Abu Dhabi on Monday, December 15, a day ahead of the much-awaited IPL 2026 mini-auction.
The meeting took place at the W Hotel in Abu Dhabi, where IPL CEO Hemang Amin formally briefed the franchises on the tournament window. The auction itself is scheduled to be held at the Etihad Arena, adding to the growing anticipation around squad rebuilds and strategic buys ahead of the new season.
While the dates are now locked in, uncertainty still surrounds the venue for the IPL 2026 opening match. Traditionally, the season opener is hosted at the home ground of the defending champions. However, doubts remain over whether the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru — home to IPL 2025 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) — will be cleared to stage the opening fixture.
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The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has received conditional approval from the state government to host IPL matches, provided all safety and security guidelines are fully complied with. A senior BCCI official, when asked about the possibility of Bengaluru hosting the opener, expressed cautious optimism, saying the board “hopes so,” while also referencing public assurances from Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
The dates for #IPL2026 are here 📆 https://t.co/63QxDbeoaB
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 15, 2025
Shivakumar recently stated that the state government is positive about hosting IPL matches and has directed Home Minister G Parameshwara to engage with KSCA officials to ensure all requirements are met.
Despite the positive signals, the hesitation stems from the tragic stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, where at least 11 fans lost their lives during RCB’s IPL trophy celebrations. Since that incident, the venue has faced restrictions, forcing the BCCI to relocate several high-profile matches, including Women’s World Cup fixtures.
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Meanwhile, clarity has emerged on the IPL 2026 auction list. Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, whose inclusion was earlier uncertain, has now been officially added to the final auction pool. As confirmed by Cricbuzz, Easwaran appears at No. 360 on the list that will be circulated among franchises ahead of the auction, opening the door for a potential IPL opportunity for the consistent domestic performer.
