Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 27: The much-awaited Indian Premier League 2026 will kick off on March 28 with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, the season will begin without the customary grand opening ceremony.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to cancel the opening event as a mark of respect for the 11 fans who lost their lives during RCB’s victory celebrations outside the stadium on June 4 last year.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said no cultural or entertainment programme will be organise at the start of the tournament. “Due to last year’s tragic incident, there will be no formal function at the start of IPL-2026. This decision has been taken as a tribute to the departed souls,” he said.
Meanwhile, the IPL Governing Council is planning a grand closing ceremony ahead of the final scheduled on May 31, which could also be hosted in Bengaluru.
Last year, the tournament began with a star-studded ceremony at Eden Gardens featuring performances by Shah Rukh Khan, Shreya Ghoshal, Karan Aujla and Disha Patani.
The cancellation of the opening ceremony is not unprecedented. In 2019, the BCCI had scrapped the event following the Pulwama attack, redirecting funds to the families of martyred CRPF personnel.
During the COVID-19 pandemic years as well, the league saw scaled-down opening events due to restrictions.