The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled its complete domestic cricket calendar for the 2026-27 season, featuring a staggering 1,788 matches across formats and age groups in both men’s and women’s cricket, carefully scheduled to balance player workload and weather conditions.
The season opens with the Duleep Trophy on August 23, 2026, followed by the historic Irani Cup from October 1 to 5.
The flagship Ranji Trophy then begins on October 11 in a split two-phase format, designed to shield players from harsh northern winters. The first phase runs until November 5, with the second resuming from January 17 through the knockout rounds.
The mid-season break hosts the white-ball tournaments. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) runs from November 14 to December 6, with league matches in Mumbai, Vizag, Kolkata, and Mohali, and knockouts in Nagpur. The Vijay Hazare Trophy follows from December 14 to January 8, with group games in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, and Rajkot, and the knockouts in Vizag.
In a notable modernisation move, the Men’s U-23 State A Trophy and the Vizzy Trophy will permanently shift to T20 format, underlining the BCCI’s push to align domestic cricket with the demands of the modern game.
