The Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to skip the opening ceremony for IPL 2026. The move comes as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in a stampede during celebrations in Bengaluru last year.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that there will be no entertainment or cultural programmes at the start. The opening match will proceed as scheduled, but without any ceremony.
The decision follows the tragic incident at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in June 2025. Several people lost their lives due to a large crowd gathering, prompting the board to opt for a low key start this season.
Despite cancelling the opening ceremony, the BCCI is planning to organise a closing ceremony. This will take place at the end of the tournament.
This is not the first time the IPL has skipped its opening event. In 2019, the ceremony was cancelled following the Pulwama attack as a mark of respect.
IPL 2026 is set to begin on March 28. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match.
