The Indian Premier League 2026 begins on March 28, 2026, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru. The final will be played on May 31, 2026.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has now confirmed the full schedule, featuring 70 league matches and 4 playoffs across multiple venues in India.
Here’s the complete IPL 2026 guide covering schedule, format, teams, venues, timings, and more.
IPL 2026 Key Dates At A Glance
Before we break down the full schedule, here are the dates you should mark right away.
| Detail | Date / Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament Start | March 28, 2026 |
| Opening Match | RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru |
| Phase 1 End | April 12, 2026 (20 matches) |
| Total Matches | 70 (league stage) + 4 playoffs |
| Final | May 31, 2026, Bengaluru |
| Playoffs Begin | Late May 2026 |
| Match Timings | 3:30 PM IST (afternoon) / 7:30 PM IST (evening) |
| Defending Champions | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
Why was the IPL 2026 Schedule Initially Released in Phases?
At the start, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced only a partial schedule for IPL 2026 due to logistical uncertainties.
The primary reason was the upcoming state assembly elections in regions like Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Since key venues such as Kolkata, Chennai, and Guwahati fall in these states, match scheduling required coordination with security and administrative authorities.
To avoid clashes and ensure smooth operations, the BCCI initially released only the first phase of fixtures while awaiting confirmation from the Election Commission.
However, once the election dates were finalized, the BCCI officially released the complete IPL 2026 schedule, covering all league matches and venues.
This phased approach is not new. A similar strategy was followed during previous IPL seasons when elections coincided with the tournament window.
IPL 2026 Full Schedule – All Matches & Fixtures
Here’s the complete list of all the matches confirmed by the BCCI. No double-headers on the opening weekend, which is a bit unusual.
| SR.No. | Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 28 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 2 | Mar 29 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 3 | Mar 30 | Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 4 | Mar 31 | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| 5 | Apr 1 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 6 | Apr 2 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 7 | Apr 3 | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 8 | Apr 4 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| 9 | Apr 4 | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 10 | Apr 5 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
| 11 | Apr 5 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 12 | Apr 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 13 | Apr 7 | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 14 | Apr 8 | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| 15 | Apr 9 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 16 | Apr 10 | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 17 | Apr 11 | Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | New Chandigarh | 3:30 PM |
| 18 | Apr 11 | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 19 | Apr 12 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans | Lucknow | 3:30 PM |
| 20 | Apr 12 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 21 | Apr 13 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| 22 | Apr 14 | Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 23 | Apr 15 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Lucknow Super Giants | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 24 | Apr 16 | Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 25 | Apr 17 | Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 26 | Apr 18 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals | Bengaluru | 3:30 PM |
| 27 | Apr 18 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| 28 | Apr 19 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals | Kolkata | 3:30 PM |
| 29 | Apr 19 | Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants | New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| 30 | Apr 20 | Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 31 | Apr 21 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| 32 | Apr 22 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 33 | Apr 23 | Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 34 | Apr 24 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 35 | Apr 25 | Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| 36 | Apr 25 | Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Jaipur | 7:30 PM |
| 37 | Apr 26 | Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings | Ahmedabad | 3:30 PM |
| 38 | Apr 26 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 39 | Apr 27 | Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| 40 | Apr 28 | Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals | New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| 41 | Apr 29 | Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 42 | Apr 30 | Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 43 | May 1 | Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals | Jaipur | 7:30 PM |
| 44 | May 2 | Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 45 | May 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
| 46 | May 3 | Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 47 | May 4 | Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 48 | May 5 | Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| 49 | May 6 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| 50 | May 7 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 51 | May 8 | Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| 52 | May 9 | Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans | Jaipur | 7:30 PM |
| 53 | May 10 | Chennai Super Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants | Chennai | 3:30 PM |
| 54 | May 10 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians | Raipur | 7:30 PM |
| 55 | May 11 | Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals | Dharamsala | 7:30 PM |
| 56 | May 12 | Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 57 | May 13 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Raipur | 7:30 PM |
| 58 | May 14 | Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians | Dharamsala | 7:30 PM |
| 59 | May 15 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 60 | May 16 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 61 | May 17 | Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Dharamsala | 3:30 PM |
| 62 | May 17 | Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| 63 | May 18 | Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 64 | May 19 | Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants | Jaipur | 7:30 PM |
| 65 | May 20 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 66 | May 21 | Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 67 | May 22 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| 68 | May 23 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 69 | May 24 | Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals | Mumbai | 3:30 PM |
| 70 | May 24 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
Confirmed Double-Header Dates (Early Season)
The first phase includes four double-headers. Afternoon games kick off at 3:30 PM IST and evening games at 7:30 PM IST.
| Date | Matches |
|---|---|
| April 4 (Sat) | DC vs MI (Delhi) / GT vs RR (Ahmedabad) |
| April 5 (Sun) | SRH vs LSG (Hyderabad) / RCB vs CSK (Bengaluru) |
| April 10 (Fri) | RR vs RCB (Guwahati) / PBKS vs SRH (New Chandigarh) |
| April 11 (Sat) | CSK vs DC (Chennai) / LSG vs GT (Lucknow) |
Notably, the opening weekend (March 28–30) has no double-headers, which is a departure from recent seasons.
Top 5 Marquee Matches in IPL 2026
Here are high-intensity matches to look for.
RCB vs SRH – The Season Opener (March 28, Bengaluru)
The defending champions kick things off at their fortress, the Chinnaswamy Stadium. This will be RCB’s first match as title holders, a sentence that still feels surreal after 17 years of waiting. Expect the stadium to be absolutely electric.
MI vs KKR – Heavyweights Clash (March 29, Mumbai)
Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders in a battle of two strong squads.
This early-season clash could set the tone for both teams.
RR vs CSK – High-Voltage Encounter (March 30, Guwahati)
Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings promises a thrilling contest with both teams known for their consistency and star power.
RCB vs CSK – Southern Derby (April 5, Bengaluru)
One of IPL’s biggest rivalries, Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings, always delivers high drama and massive fan engagement.
MI vs RCB – Blockbuster Clash (April 12, Mumbai)
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru is among the most-watched fixtures, often producing high-scoring thrillers.
IPL 2026 Format: How the Tournament Works
The Indian Premier League 2026 season follows the standard format, with 70 league-stage matches rather than 84.
Playoff Structure
The playoff format stays the same as previous seasons and gives the top two teams a safety net.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | 1st vs 2nd (Winner goes to Final) |
| Eliminator | 3rd vs 4th (Loser is out) |
| Qualifier 2 | Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator |
| Final | Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2 (May 31, Bengaluru) |
Looking ahead, the IPL may expand further in upcoming seasons. There have been discussions about increasing the number of matches (potentially 90+ games) with a full home-and-away round-robin format, but no official confirmation has been made yet.
All 10 IPL 2026 Teams and Their Captains
Here’s a quick look at who’s leading whom this season. Some names are familiar, others are refreshing changes.
| Team | Captain | Home Ground(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Ruturaj Gaikwad | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Hardik Pandya | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Rajat Patidar | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Ajinkya Rahane | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | Shubman Gill | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Riyan Parag | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur / Barsapara, Guwahati |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Rishabh Pant | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Pat Cummins | Rajiv Gandhi Intl Stadium, Hyderabad |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Axar Patel | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Shreyas Iyer | PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh / Dharamshala |
The biggest pre-season talking point? Riyan Parag takes over as Rajasthan Royals’ full-time captain after Sanju Samson’s trade to CSK. At 24, he’s one of the youngest skippers in the tournament’s history.
Biggest Trades and Auction Highlights for IPL 2026
The IPL 2026 mini auction was held on December 16, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. The auction purse for each franchise was set at ₹125 crore. A total of 77 players were sold (including 29 overseas) for a combined spend of approximately ₹215.45 crore.
Headline Auction Buy
Cameron Green was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹25.20 crore, making him the most expensive overseas player and third most expensive player in IPL history. That’s serious money, even by IPL standards.
Most Expensive Uncapped Players
Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma were both bought by Chennai Super Kings for ₹14.20 crore each, becoming the joint-most expensive uncapped players ever in the IPL. CSK is clearly betting big on domestic talent.
The Blockbuster Trade
The trade that shook the cricketing world: CSK acquired Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Samson heads to Chennai while Jadeja returns to Rajasthan — both playing against their former teams on March 30 in Guwahati. The storylines practically write themselves.
Notable Unsold Players
Not everyone found a buyer. Jake Fraser-McGurk, Jonny Bairstow, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Alzarri Joseph, Gus Atkinson, Deepak Hooda, and Karn Sharma were among the 79 players who went unsold. Tough luck, but that’s the IPL auction for you.
IPL 2026 Venues: Complete List of Stadiums
The IPL 2026 will be played across multiple cities. For Phase 1, 10 venues are confirmed. The total number of venues for the full season is expected to be 13 or more.
| Stadium | City | Capacity | Teams / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | ~40,000 | RCB (Home) + Final |
| Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | ~33,000 | MI (Home) |
| MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | ~50,000 | CSK (Home) |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata | ~68,000 | KKR (Home) |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | ~1,32,000 | GT (Home) |
| Rajiv Gandhi Intl Stadium | Hyderabad | ~55,000 | SRH (Home) |
| Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow | ~50,000 | LSG (Home) |
| Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | ~41,000 | DC (Home) |
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | ~30,000 | RR (Primary Home) |
| Barsapara Cricket Stadium | Guwahati | ~40,000 | RR (Second Home) |
| PCA Stadium | New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) | ~32,000 | PBKS (Primary Home) |
| HPCA Stadium | Dharamshala | ~23,000 | PBKS (Second Home) |
| Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium | Naya Raipur | ~65,000 | RCB (Second Home) |
Split Home Venues
RCB plays 5 home matches in Bengaluru and 2 in Raipur. PBKS splits their home fixtures between 4 in New Chandigarh and 3 in Dharamshala. Rajasthan Royals will play 3 matches in Guwahati and 4 in Jaipur.
Chinnaswamy Stadium Clearance Update
All matches scheduled at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium are subject to clearance from a Karnataka government expert committee. The stadium hasn’t hosted top-flight cricket since the tragic stampede during RCB’s 2025 victory parade, which claimed 11 lives. An inspection and mock demonstration is scheduled for March 13, 2026.
IPL 2026 Match Timings
Match timings remain consistent with previous seasons.
| Match Type | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Evening Matches (Single-header days) | 7:30 PM IST |
| Afternoon Matches (Double-header days) | 3:30 PM IST |
| Evening Matches (Double-header days) | 7:30 PM IST |
Stadium gates typically open 3 hours before the match. So if you’re heading to the ground, plan accordingly, especially for Mumbai and Bengaluru games where traffic can be, well, its own kind of T20 thriller.
IPL 2026 Ticket Prices and How to Book
Getting IPL tickets is often harder than getting a ticket to a Coldplay concert in India. Here’s what you need to know.
Expected Ticket Price Ranges
| Category | Estimated Price Range |
|---|---|
| General Stand | ₹450 – ₹850 |
| Mid-Range Seats | ₹900 – ₹3,000 |
| Premium / Corporate Boxes | ₹4,000 – ₹18,000 |
| VIP / Hospitality | ₹19,000 and above |
Important: IPL 2026 tickets now attract a 40% GST, up from the earlier 28% slab. This means a ticket with a base price of ₹1,000 will now cost you around ₹1,400 after tax. This puts IPL match tickets in the same GST bracket as casinos and race clubs.
Where to Buy IPL 2026 Tickets
BookMyShow and Paytm Insider (District) remain the primary ticket booking platforms. Some franchises also sell through their own official websites. Mumbai Indians have already opened pre-sale registration on BookMyShow, with the actual booking window expected to open around March 26.
Pro tip: Mark yourself as “Interested” for specific teams on BookMyShow to get push notifications the moment tickets go live. For high-demand matches like MI vs CSK or RCB vs MI, tickets sell out in minutes. Not exaggerating, literally minutes.
Where to Watch IPL 2026 Live: TV and Streaming
Whether you’re watching from your couch or sneaking a stream at work (we won’t judge), here’s where to catch the action.
TV Broadcast: Star Sports network holds the satellite broadcasting rights. Matches will be available across Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 1 Hindi, and regional language channels.
Live Streaming: JioHotstar is the official digital streaming partner. You’ll need a JioHotstar subscription to stream seamlessly. JioStar holds both the satellite and digital rights for the 2023–2027 cycle.
Team-Wise Home Matches in Phase 1
Here’s a quick breakdown of which teams play at home during the first phase.
| Team | Phase 1 Home Fixtures |
|---|---|
| RCB | 2 home matches (Bengaluru): vs SRH (Mar 28), vs CSK (Apr 5) |
| MI | 2 home matches (Mumbai): vs KKR (Mar 29), vs RCB (Apr 12) |
| CSK | 2 home matches (Chennai): vs PBKS (Apr 3), vs DC (Apr 11) |
| KKR | 3 home matches (Kolkata): vs SRH (Apr 2), vs PBKS (Apr 6), vs LSG (Apr 9) |
| RR | 3 home matches (Guwahati): vs CSK (Mar 30), vs MI (Apr 7), vs RCB (Apr 10) |
| PBKS | 2 home matches (New Chandigarh): vs GT (Mar 31), vs SRH (Apr 10) |
| LSG | 2 home matches (Lucknow): vs DC (Apr 1), vs GT (Apr 11) |
| DC | 2 home matches (Delhi): vs MI (Apr 4), vs GT (Apr 8) |
| GT | 1 home match (Ahmedabad): vs RR (Apr 4) |
| SRH | 1 home match (Hyderabad): vs LSG (Apr 5) |
KKR and RR get the most home games in Phase 1 (3 each), while GT and SRH have just one each. That imbalance will even out once the full schedule drops.
Why Does IPL 2026 Start Later Than Usual?
In previous years, the IPL typically kicked off in the second week of March. This time, the start date was pushed to March 28 for a very good reason.
The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, had its final on March 8, 2026. The BCCI wanted a three-week gap between the World Cup final and the start of the IPL to give players rest and preparation time.
Originally, the start was set for March 26, but it was postponed by 2 more days in late February 2026. This also caused a scheduling clash with the 2026 Pakistan Super League, which had to shift its window for the second consecutive year.
Pre-Season Controversies Around IPL 2026
Mustafizur Rahman’s Exclusion
Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, bought by KKR for ₹9.2 crore at the auction, was asked by the BCCI to be released in January 2026. The decision followed growing tensions after anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh during 2025.
The move drew mixed reactions. Aakash Chopra supported the decision, while Shashi Tharoor and former Bangladeshi captains Khaled Mahmud and Mohammad Ashraful criticized it. Bangladesh eventually banned the broadcast of IPL in its country.
Chinnaswamy Stadium Safety Concerns
As mentioned, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium hasn’t hosted cricket since the 2025 victory parade stampede. The Karnataka government’s expert committee inspection on March 13 will be crucial in determining whether Bengaluru hosts IPL matches this season.
What’s New in IPL 2026 Compared to Last Season?
Let’s quickly run through the key differences between IPL 2025 and IPL 2026.
| Aspect | IPL 2025 | IPL 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 74 | 84 |
| Format | Partial double round-robin with groups | Full double round-robin (no groups) |
| Auction Type | Mega Auction | Mini Auction (Abu Dhabi) |
| Ticket GST | 28% | 40% |
| Title Sponsor | Tata | Tata (renewed through 2028) |
| Defending Champions | KKR | RCB |
The biggest structural change is the move to 84 matches. Every team now plays every other team twice, which makes the league stage fairer and reduces the role of luck in determining playoff spots.
Suggested Reads:
Final Words: IPL 2026 Full Schedule Is Out Now!
The Indian Premier League 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions yet. With the Royal Challengers Bengaluru defending their maiden title and fresh team combinations adding intrigue, fans can expect a thrilling tournament.
The action begins on March 28 in Bengaluru and concludes with the final on May 31, 2026. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has now confirmed the complete schedule, featuring 70 league matches and playoffs across multiple venues.
Stay tuned for match predictions, team updates, and all the latest IPL 2026 coverage.
