The IPL schedule for the 2026 season has officially been announced, revealing match dates, venues, and timings for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League. The tournament kicks off on March 28, 2026, with the grand finale scheduled for May 31, 2026, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), TATA IPL 2026 will feature 10 teams competing in 84 matches, including 80 league matches and four playoff fixtures.
Quick Facts About IPL 2026
- Tournament: TATA IPL 2026 (19th edition)
- Start Date: March 28, 2026
- Opening Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Opening Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Total Teams: 10
- Total Matches: 84 (80 league matches + 4 playoff matches)
- Final Date: May 31, 2026
- Final Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Match Timings: 7:30 PM IST (weekdays), 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM IST (weekend double-headers)
IPL 2026 Teams
The IPL schedule includes the league’s ten franchises: Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Lucknow Super Giants. These teams will compete across the league stage before the top four advance to the playoffs.
Tournament Overview of IPL 2026 at a Glance
The 2026 season marks the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League, one of the most-watched cricket leagues in the world. The tournament runs from late March to the end of May, with matches hosted across several major cricket stadiums in India.
The opening match will feature Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru. The final will also be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The playoff stage is expected to begin on May 26, with Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, and Qualifier 2 determining the finalists before the championship clash on May 31.
Several teams will also use secondary venues during the season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are expected to play select matches in Raipur, while Delhi Capitals will split fixtures between Delhi and Visakhapatnam. Punjab Kings will host matches in New Chandigarh and Dharamshala, and Rajasthan Royals will split home games between Jaipur and Guwahati.
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IPL Schedule Release in Phases
The BCCI has released the IPL schedule in phases, initially announcing fixtures for the opening weeks of the tournament. This approach has been adopted due to logistical adjustments related to state elections in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu.
Because of this, the remaining fixtures after April 12 will be confirmed once the Election Commission of India finalises polling dates.
First Phase Highlights: March 28 to April 12
The first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule will run from March 28 to April 12, featuring matches across ten venues, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad.
This opening phase also includes four double-header match days, allowing fans to watch two matches in a single day. One of the early highlights comes on April 4, when the Delhi Capitals face the Mumbai Indians in Delhi at 3:30 PM, followed by the Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad at 7:30 PM.
Confirmed Opening 10 Matches
| Match | Date | Teams | Venue | Time (IST) |
| 1 | Mar 28 | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 2 | Mar 29 | MI vs KKR | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 3 | Mar 30 | RR vs CSK | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 4 | Mar 31 | PBKS vs GT | New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| 5 | Apr 1 | LSG vs DC | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 6 | Apr 2 | KKR vs SRH | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 7 | Apr 3 | CSK vs PBKS | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 8 | Apr 4 | DC vs MI | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| 9 | Apr 4 | GT vs RR | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 10 | Apr 5 | SRH vs LSG | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
IPL 2026 Venues
Matches in the IPL schedule will be played across some of India’s most iconic cricket stadiums, including:
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
- Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh
However, matches scheduled in Bengaluru remain subject to clearance from the Expert Committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka, which will inspect the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to assess match-day preparedness.
Where to Watch IPL 2026
Fans in India can watch IPL 2026 live on the Star Sports Network, while digital streaming will be available on JioHotstar and JioCinema platforms.
For those planning to attend matches in stadiums, IPL 2026 tickets will be available online through official ticketing platforms and franchise websites. Pre-sale registrations have already started on BookMyShow for some matches, while platforms like District are expected to host ticket sales once they officially open. Fans are advised to purchase tickets only from authorised platforms such as the official IPL website, BookMyShow, or franchise portals.
For the latest updates on the IPL schedule, ticket availability, match results, and points table, fans can follow the official IPL website and cricket platforms such as Cricbuzz.
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Frequently Asked Questions
IPL 2026 will begin on March 28, 2026, with the opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The phased release accommodates Assembly Elections in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu, allowing the BCCI to finalise venues and logistics after election dates are confirmed.
All 10 franchises are participating: Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
IPL 2026 matches will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India. Fans can also stream matches online on JioHotstar and JioCinema platforms.
