BCCI Confirms IPL 2026 Start Date as March 28

BCCI Confirms IPL 2026 Season Start on March 28

The Indian Premier League 2026 season will begin on March 28, broadcaster Star Sports confirmed on Sunday. The announcement came shortly before the India vs New Zealand ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The official match schedule for the tournament has not yet been released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The upcoming season will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enter the competition as the defending champions.

RCB secured the title in the IPL 2025 final, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in Ahmedabad. The victory marked the franchise’s first IPL championship and set the stage for their title defence in the 2026 season.

Bengaluru to Host Majority of RCB Home Matches

Earlier this month, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary Santosh Menon confirmed that M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host five of RCB’s home matches during the IPL 2026 season.

The venue will also stage the IPL 2026 final along with one of the play-off matches in the tournament. The confirmation follows discussions between the franchise, cricket administrators, and local authorities regarding match hosting arrangements.

RCB’s remaining two home fixtures in the upcoming season will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

RCB Thanks Karnataka Government and Authorities

In an official statement released on Tuesday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru thanked the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka State Cricket Association, and the Karnataka Police for their support in organising the matches in Bengaluru.

The franchise said the cooperation from authorities helped complete the necessary preparations for the IPL season, including infrastructure improvements and safety arrangements required for hosting large crowds at the stadium.

The statement said the efforts ensured that the defending champions would be able to play the majority of their home matches in Bengaluru.

Franchise Emphasises Importance of Home Ground

Rajesh Menon, CEO of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium remains central to the team’s identity and connection with supporters.

He said the energy generated by fans in Bengaluru has consistently motivated players throughout the competition and played an important role in the team’s performances.

Menon added that after completing the required permission process and discussions with authorities, the franchise was pleased to confirm that five matches will be held in Bengaluru.

Background: Stadium Activity Suspended After 2025 Incident

Cricket activities at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium had been suspended since June last year following a stampede during RCB’s IPL 2025 title celebration.

The incident resulted in 11 deaths and several injuries, prompting authorities to halt events at the venue and review safety measures for large gatherings.

With preparations now underway for IPL 2026, officials and organisers have worked to ensure that necessary infrastructure and security arrangements are in place before matches resume at the stadium.