IPL 2026 set to be held from March 26 to May 31

The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to be held from March 26 to May 31, with the window conveyed to franchise executives during the customary pre-auction briefing in Abu Dhabi on Monday (December 15, 2025) night.

The Hindu understands that the IPL authorities have carefully finalised the tournament window after factoring in the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The World Cup final is scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad on March 8, allowing a preparatory gap of more than a fortnight for leading international and Indian players to transition into franchise commitments.

This buffer is expected to help teams manage player workloads and logistics ahead of the demanding tournament. The detailed IPL schedule, including venues and fixtures, will be released at a later date.

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During the briefing, franchises were also assured that all players signed during Tuesday’s auction will be available for the entire duration of the IPL, irrespective of their international calendars. This clarification was particularly significant for teams monitoring the availability of overseas players amid a packed international schedule.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are the only two nations with bilateral international commitments that overlap with the IPL window. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received assurances from both cricket boards that players who have committed to the IPL will be released in full for the tournament. The confirmation offers franchises greater certainty as they plan their auction strategies and squad compositions.

With clarity on the tournament window and player availability, franchises are expected to approach the auction with renewed confidence, focusing on building balanced squads without concerns over mid-season player withdrawals.