The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 schedule has undergone a significant change as the tournament is now set to start two days later than originally planned. The tournament is now scheduled to kick off on March 28, rather than the previously announced March 26. According to ESPN Cricinfo, this change has been made following internal discussions among IPL officials who have decided to adjust the start date, while the final match is slated for May 31.

Initially, on December 15, 2025, all ten franchises were informed that the IPL would commence on March 26. However, the opening match will now take place two days later, necessitating a revision of planning and logistics. The IPL Governing Council is set to convene next week to finalize the entire schedule, which signifies that teams and stakeholders will need to adapt to this shift in dates before the tournament kicks off.

One of the primary reasons for this delay in announcing the IPL schedule has been linked to the upcoming legislative assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, where the Election Commission has yet to disclose the polling dates. This uncertainty is impacting the IPL’s ability to confirm venues and timings, as these states include important franchises such as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), whose home grounds are vital to their fan engagement and logistical arrangements.