 "Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions. Image: AFP")
The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be held from March 26 to May 31, beginning just weeks after the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. The dates were revealed during a meeting between IPL authorities and franchise representatives in Abu Dhabi on Monday, December 15.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the meeting took place a day ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction . Representatives from all 10 franchises were informed about the tournament window and briefed on auction-related matters by IPL CEO Hemang Amin. The report added that M Chinnaswamy Stadium was a major talking point, as the tournament opener is slated to be held there, though confirmation of the venue’s availability is still awaited.
Season opener at Chinnaswamy in doubt
The Bengaluru venue has been barred from hosting cricket matches since the unfortunate stampede that occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebrations in June this year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) moved ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 matches away from the city due to a lack of permission from the state government.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has been asked by the state government to carry out key safety upgrades before matches are held at the venue again. The state’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, had recently said that the government wants IPL matches to be staged at the iconic stadium, but only after the necessary changes are implemented.
“We hope so. The State’s Deputy Chief Minister (DK Shivakumar) himself has said so,” a top BCCI official was quoted as saying. At least 11 people died and more than 50 were injured in a tragic stampede during RCB’s celebrations at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The KSCA was blamed for poor handling of the event and for failing to obtain the necessary permissions.
It will be interesting to see if the tournament opener for IPL season 19 is held at the Bengaluru venue, continuing the long-standing tradition of hosting the first match at the defending champions’ home stadium.
Cameron Green sold for record sum
Meanwhile, the mini-auction is currently taking place in Abu Dhabi. Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is the most expensive buy at the auction so far, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spending Rs 25.20 crore to secure his services. He also became the most expensive overseas player sold in IPL auction history and the third most-expensive ever.