Have a look at the 2026 IPL start date and schedule
Following a dramatic end to the Indian Premier League IPL 2025 season, fans are now already eager to know all the details of the 2026 season, find out more below.
The IPL 2025 season ended with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifting their maiden title.
IPL 2025 schedule, first match start date, auction format, total matches and final venue details
With this IPL season, we are moving on from 14 matches (7 home) per team:
IPL 2025, 2026 : 16 matches per team (8 home) – Total 84 matches including playoffs and final.
From IPL 2027 : 18 matches per team (9 home) – Total 94 matches including playoffs and final. pic.twitter.com/OzmNTGr2GD
— Ragav 𝕏 (@ragav_x) May 27, 2024
🚨One year ban for RCB 🚨
RCB may face a ban from IPL 2026 if found responsible for safety lapses in the Bengaluru stampede. Authorities are investigating the incident seriously. pic.twitter.com/kp14K7ThiW
— Tata IPL 2025 Commentary (@IPL2025Auction) June 8, 2025
Players and fans are already excited for the next edition of the T20 league with player strategies, mini-auctions, and squad planning underway.
The IPL 2025 season ended with a long-awaited title win for RCB, much to the delight of their fans.
IPL 2026 start date and schedule
For the first time in IPL history, the league has already shared the schedule windows for two seasons in advance. According to the league’s official communication, IPL 2026 is set to begin on March 15 and it will run until May 31. While the IPL terms these dates as “tentative windows,” fans can expect these dates to hold unless extraordinary events occur. The early notice will allow all the franchises to finalize player retention lists, plan releases, and manage workloads before the mini auction.
Notably, global broadcasters and sponsors will also benefit from the announcement and align their strategies and marketing calendars accordingly. With the news about the fixed dates and an extended format, IPL 2026 could reportedly become the most competitive and commercially successful season to date. While the full schedule is yet to be released, the final will be held in Bangalore’s M.Chinnaswamy Stadium due to RCB winning IPL 2025.
There will also be an auction ahead of IPL 2026 but not on the same scale as the previous one. It will be a mini auction which is held between mega auctions to allow teams to tweak their squads.
While the auction’s date and venue aren’t revealed yet, the IPL mini auctions are generally scheduled between November and December.
IPL 2026 new format
The IPL 2026 will reportedly feature 84 matches, which is a notable jump from the previous 74-game format. The expansion comes as part of a broader roadmap that the IPL outlined for the 2023-27 cycle. According to reports, IPL 2027 could see an even bigger leap of 94 matches in total.
Foreign player availability in IPL 2026
Aside from the new season announcements, fans will be delighted to know that the majority of overseas stars will also be available for the full season. All the national cricket boards from most Full Member nations (excluding Pakistan) have reportedly given the green light for their players to take part in the entire IPL 2026 campaign. The new decision will ensure that the league retains its top-tier international appeal.
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