IPL 2026 gets new start date: Tournament to kick off on this day

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has reached its final stages, and the new champion will be announced with the final on March 8. However, the excitement for cricket fans won't end there, as the 19th season of the Indian Premier League will begin soon after.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a significant change to the start of the tournament. Originally scheduled to begin on March 26th, the season has now been postponed by two days to March 28th. However, the final match remains unchanged, with the title match scheduled for May 31st.

It is worth noting that during the players' auction held in Abu Dhabi in December 2025, the board had announced that the season would begin on March 26. However, almost a month before the tournament, the schedule was revised and a new date was set.

According to media reports, this decision will be formally approved at the IPL Governing Council meeting next week, and the full schedule will be announced. Cricket fans will now be looking ahead to the new season of the IPL after the World Cup final.