The excitement for IPL 2026 is building as the tournament is set to begin on March 28 with a thrilling opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. As part of efforts to bring the IPL experience closer to fans across India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the return of its popular Fan Parks, which will be set up in multiple cities during the first phase of the tournament.

Among the selected locations, Odisha’s Rourkela and Bhubaneswar have been included, offering cricket lovers a chance to enjoy live match screenings in a vibrant and community driven atmosphere. The Fan Park in Rourkela will take place during the first weekend on March 28 and March 29 at Sector 17 Ground, while Bhubaneswar will host the Fan Park during the second weekend on April 4 and April 5 at the KIIT University Stadium.

These Fan Parks are designed to recreate the electrifying stadium like environment for fans who cannot attend matches in person. Visitors can enjoy live screenings of IPL matches on giant screens along with a wide range of entertainment options including music performances, interactive fan engagement zones, virtual batting and bowling experiences, cheer meters, 360 degree photo booths and dedicated kids play areas. Food courts and stalls offering snacks and beverages will also be available, along with merchandise outlets selling team jerseys, caps and other accessories.

Entry to all Fan Parks is completely free, making it accessible for fans of all ages, although visitors will need to pay for food, drinks and any additional services they choose to enjoy. Apart from Rourkela and Bhubaneswar, Fan Parks during the first three weekends of IPL 2026 will also be hosted in cities such as Rohtak, Bhopal, Nagpur, Tumakuru, Krishnanagar, Mathura, Jodhpur, Nizamabad, Mysuru, Meerut, Nadiad, Ratnagiri and Coimbatore, covering 15 cities across 11 states.

With more Fan Park locations expected to be announced in the coming weeks, IPL 2026 promises to deliver an inclusive and immersive cricketing experience for fans nationwide, ensuring the excitement reaches far beyond the stadiums.