The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to officially release the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule on March 6 or 7. Internal reports indicate that the tournament's start date has been pushed back two days from the original plan to March 28, 2026. This adjustment was made to better accommodate the logistical and security challenges posed by upcoming assembly elections in several key Indian states, including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

The opening match and the grand final are both rumored to be held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This move would see the home team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), kicking off the season in front of their home crowd. The full schedule is expected to be released in two separate phases, a strategy previously used by the BCCI to navigate election periods while ensuring player safety and venue availability.

Excitement is also building around player news, with MS Dhoni reportedly starting his pre-season training with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chennai. While there are rumors that Dhoni may not play every match this season, his presence in the camp has already energized the fanbase. As the official announcement nears, franchises are finalizing their preparations for what is expected to be one of the most-watched editions of the league to date.