IPL 2026 Dates Announced: March 26 to May 31 with Exciting Auction Ahead

IPL 2026 Schedule and Auction Details

The Indian Premier League (IPL) for 2026 is confirmed to run from March 26 to May 31, maintaining its established position in the cricket calendar.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet unveiled the full schedule, it is anticipated that the 19th edition will kick off approximately three weeks following the T20 World Cup, which is set to take place from February 7 to March 8 across India and Sri Lanka, concluding at the end of May, according to reports from ESPNcricinfo.

This year's IPL will once again coincide with the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is scheduled from March 26 to May 3, marking the second consecutive year of overlap.

Preparations for the IPL are already underway, with franchises gearing up for the auction happening on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.

A total of 369 players have been shortlisted for the auction, with 77 positions available, including 31 designated for international players. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lead with 13 available slots, followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad with ten. After trades and player retentions, KKR also boasts the largest remaining budget at INR 64.30 crore (approximately USD 7.1 million), while Chennai Super Kings follow with INR 43.40 crore (around USD 4.8 million).

Last year's IPL was initially planned for a similar timeframe, from March 22 to May 25, but was disrupted due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to a temporary halt on May 9. The tournament resumed on May 15 and concluded on June 3.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru emerged victorious in the final, finally securing the trophy with a narrow six-run win over Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.

However, the celebrations in Bengaluru were overshadowed by a tragic incident, as stampede-like conditions outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in the loss of 11 lives.

A subsequent investigation deemed the stadium unsuitable for hosting large events.