BCCI unveils 2026-27 domestic season with 1,788 matches scheduled

The BCCI announced the 2026-27 domestic cricket schedule, featuring 1,788 matches for men and women across various age groups. The season starts August 23 with the Duleep Trophy and includes format changes for several tournaments.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the Indian Domestic Season 2026-27, which will feature 1,788 matches across age groups and formats in men's and women's cricket during the course of the season.

The season will feature tournaments across senior, U23, U19 and U16 categories in men's cricket, along with an extensive calendar across senior, U23, U19 and U15 women's competitions, as per a press release from BCCI.

The domestic season will commence with the prestigious Duleep Trophy from August 23, 2026, marking the beginning of another extensive and highly competitive calendar that continues to elevate the standards of domestic cricket in India.

The 2026-27 domestic season reflects the BCCI's continued commitment to building a strong and competitive domestic structure while ensuring a balanced progression across formats and categories.

Focus on Red-Ball Cricket Structure

The red-ball segment of the season will begin with the Duleep Trophy featuring six zonal teams, followed by the Irani Cup from October 1. The Ranji Trophy and the Col CK Nayudu Trophy will continue to be played in a two-phase format, ensuring adequate recovery time for players while continuing to prioritise multi-day cricket in the domestic structure. The Ranji Trophy Elite Group will feature 32 teams across four groups, while the Plate Group will comprise six teams.

Tournament Updates and Modernisation

The upcoming season will witness the reinstatement of the Col CK Nayudu Trophy Winners vs Rest of India fixture, scheduled from October 1-4, 2026. The match returns to the domestic calendar to provide an enhanced competitive platform for emerging U23 cricketers.

As part of the BCCI's continued efforts to align domestic cricket with the evolving demands of the modern game, the Men's U23 State A Trophy and the Vizzy Trophy have been converted from one-day competitions to T20 tournaments.

Logistical and Scheduling Enhancements

In another significant move, the knockout stages of the Cooch Behar Trophy (Elite Group) will be played at Bengaluru and Mysuru. The move aims to ensure greater competitive balance for teams across all regions, particularly during the January knockout window when weather conditions can vary considerably.

Additionally, the Vijay Merchant Trophy (U16) has been advanced in the domestic calendar and will now be played from November to January, allowing for improved scheduling and player preparation.

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