IPL 2027 start date announced? Here’s the update
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a significant change to the dates for the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL). According to reports, the tournament is set to be played from March 10 to May 15 next year. This means the IPL 2027 schedule will commence earlier than usual. Typically, the IPL takes place from early April to late May, but next year, it could start in early March and conclude by mid-May.
This move aims to shield the tournament's final stages from the scorching heat. BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia recently confirmed this development. The decision is driven by growing concerns regarding weather conditions in late May and the packed international cricket calendar. In previous years, many international stars would often miss the latter part of the tournament due to national team commitments.
Saikia confirmed that the board is striving to provide a better environment for both players and fans. Temperatures soar by the end of May, causing significant discomfort for fans, particularly in regions where the heat becomes extreme during the second half of the IPL season. He stated that the IPL Governing Council is discussing the possibility of starting the tournament about two weeks earlier without disrupting other cricketing commitments.
“This year, IPL started around March 29th (28th), and it was over by May 31. The only thing which we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament, after May 15…there is apprehension of having rainfall or the pre-monsoon season starting.
“On the other hand, there is hot weather which is not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds. So therefore, there is a discussion going on in BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March,” Saikia said in the interaction.
Additionally, he confirmed that there are currently no discussions regarding an increase in the number of IPL matches. There had been persistent reports that the IPL would expand from 74 to 94 matches starting next year, with teams playing 18 matches each in a home-and-away format; however, the BCCI Secretary has currently dismissed these claims.
“So therefore, there is a discussion going on in BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March,” Saikia said. “It will be very difficult to go beyond two months because other countries also have to pay bilateral matches...So, at this moment, there is no discussion regarding increasing matches from 74 to 94. Not happening immediately,” he said.
"Discussions are underway between the BCCI and our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament slightly earlier—before the end of March." He added, "Extending it beyond two months would be very difficult because other countries also need to play bilateral series... therefore, there is currently no discussion about increasing the number of matches from 74 to 94. It is not going to happen for the time being," he added.
Saikiya clarified that any expansion would require coordination with other cricket boards and the ICC calendar—something that does not seem practical at the moment. He noted that the Indian Premier League already operates within a very tight international window, and extending it further could impact international series. Beyond international cricket, he acknowledged the need to better schedule domestic tournaments as well. According to him, streamlining the schedule is essential if the IPL is to start earlier while avoiding conflicts related to weather and logistical challenges.
