Language Settings
Select Website Language
newshunt
newshunt

BCCI Cancells IPL 2026 Opening Ceremony Ahead Of RCB vs SRH Clash

1 month ago

The 2026 IPL season will kick off on March 28 with the opening match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Unlike previous seasons, BCCI has decided not to hold the traditional opening ceremony.

According to a report in Times of India, this decision is a tribute to the 11 lives lost in a stampede in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025, following RCB's first IPL title win. Instead, BCCI plans a grand closing ceremony on May 31.

"Due to last year's tragic incident on June 4 last year, there will be no formal function on the day of the start of IPL -2026 (in Bengaluru). The BCCI is not organizing any cultural or entertainment show at the start of IPL-19 as a mark of respect to the departed souls due to that tragedy on June 4, 2025.

"However, BCCI and the IPL Governing Council are planning a grand entertainment function at the closing of the IPL, on the day of the final (May 31)," Devajit Saikia, Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India, told to TOI.

This is not the first time the IPL has cancelled its opening festivities due to tragedy. In 2019, the opening ceremony was called off following the Pulwama attack, with funds redirected to families of martyred CRPF soldiers. Also, BCCI will announce the schedule for the remaining IPL 2026 matches soon.

When will IPL 2026 full schedule be announced?

BCCI is expected to announce the full schedule for IPL 2026 by the end of this week (March 27-29, 2026). While the board released an initial fixtures list on March 11 covering the first 20 matches (until April 12), the complete itinerary was delayed due to the coordination of security logistics with the State Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu.

BCCI Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia recently confirmed that the remaining 54 matches are being finalized. The tournament is confirmed to run until May 31, 2026, with the final scheduled to take place at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Click here to Read More
Previous Article
IPL 2026 Full Schedule Announcement: Devajit Saikia Shares Major Update
Next Article
Ex-IPL Chairman Lalit Modi Launches Scathing Attack On Sanjiv Goenka, Calls Him A 'Clown'

Related Sports Updates:

Are you sure? You want to delete this comment..! Remove Cancel

Comments (0)

    Leave a comment