IPL Schedule 2026: Upcoming Matches, Dates & Venues

If you’re a cricket fan, you already know that feeling — the moment the IPL schedule drops, your calendar basically rewrites itself. The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League, officially branded as TATA IPL 2026, is here and it’s bigger, louder, and more action-packed than ever. Whether you’re planning to catch a live match at the stadium or settle in with your phone and a bag of chips, this guide has everything you need to know about the IPL cricket schedule, upcoming fixtures, venues, and team lineups.

So let’s get into it.

IPL 2026: The Big Picture

The TATA IPL 2026 kicked off on March 28, 2026, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) locking horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The tournament runs all the way through to May 31, 2026, with the grand final also slated to be held in Bengaluru.

This season features 74 matches spread across 10 teams and 13 venues across India. The IPL time table includes plenty of weekend double-headers, which means fans get to enjoy two matches in a single day — afternoon games typically kicking off at 3:30 PM IST and evening matches at 7:30 PM IST (the classic prime-time slot that everyone plans their dinner around).

The league stage will wrap up on May 24, after which the top four teams head into the playoffs — Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. Playoff venue details are yet to be officially confirmed.

What’s New in IPL 2026?

One of the most interesting tweaks this season is the group format reversal. In previous years, teams played each other twice within their group and once against teams from the other group. This year, it’s been flipped — teams now play once against group opponents and twice against teams from the opposite group. It sounds like a small change, but trust me, it completely reshuffles the rivalry dynamics and makes for some fascinating matchups.

Here’s how the groups are structured:

• Group A: Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings

• Group B: Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants

Each team plays 14 league matches, and the top four advance to the knockout stage.

IPL 2026 Match Schedule Table (Selected Matches)

Below is a comprehensive look at the upcoming IPL matches 2026 and early fixtures. The BCCI announced the schedule in two phases due to state assembly elections in Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

📌 Note: The complete IPL 2026 dates and venues for matches 41–70 and playoff fixtures are available on the official BCCI and IPL website. Playoff venues will be confirmed closer to the date.

All IPL 2026 Teams

Here’s the complete list of all 10 teams competing in IPL 2026, along with their captains, home venues, and head coaches:

Key Storylines to Watch This Season

Before we dive into the FAQs, here are some things that make this IPL cricket schedule particularly gripping:

RCB’s Title Defence

After finally ending their title drought in 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru come in as defending champions under captain Rajat Patidar. There’s pressure, but there’s also belief — and the opening match at home was a perfect statement with a 6-wicket win over SRH.

The Jadeja-Samson Trade

In a blockbuster pre-season move, Ravindra Jadeja moved to Rajasthan Royals from CSK while Sanju Samson headed the other way. Both players are in stunning form after the T20 World Cup 2026, making every RR and CSK match a marquee event.

Rishabh Pant at LSG

The talismanic wicketkeeper-batter takes on the captaincy at Lucknow Super Giants, bringing a new dimension to a team that’s been searching for identity. Expect fireworks.

Punjab Kings’ Championship Hunger

PBKS were runners-up in 2025 and will be hungry to go one better. Under Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, they’ve got both the talent and the motivation.

Where to Watch the Upcoming IPL Matches 2026

All upcoming IPL matches 2026 are broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India, with commentary available in 12 languages. For digital streaming, JioHotstar (the combined platform of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar) is the official partner. The platform offers 4K quality streaming, multi-camera views, regional language commentary, and interactive scorecards — basically everything a cricket fan could want.

Tickets can be purchased through BookMyShow, District by Zomato, and each franchise’s official app or website.

IPL 2026 Dates and Venues: Quick Overview

The IPL 2026 dates and venues span 13 stadiums across India, including some of cricket’s most iconic cathedrals:

• Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai – MI’s fortress
• Eden Gardens, Kolkata – The loudest crowd in cricket
• MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai – CSK’s yellow sea
• M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru – RCB’s home and the venue of the Final
• Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad – The world’s largest cricket stadium
• Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur – Rajasthan Royals’ pink home
• Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad – SRH’s electric venue
• HPCA Cricket Stadium, Dharamshala – Arguably the most scenic cricket ground in the world
• Nava Raipur Cricket Stadium, Raipur – RCB’s secondary home
• ACA Cricket Stadium, Guwahati – RR’s alternate venue

FAQs: IPL Schedule 2026

Q1. When does IPL 2026 start and end?

IPL 2026 started on March 28, 2026, with RCB hosting SRH in Bengaluru, and the tournament will conclude with the grand final on May 31, 2026. The league stage runs until May 24, followed by the playoffs. This season features 74 total matches involving all 10 franchises across 13 venues in India.

Q2. How many teams are playing in IPL 2026, and what is the match format?

There are 10 teams in IPL 2026. Each team plays 14 league stage matches. The format this season is reversed from last year — teams play once against group opponents and twice against teams from the opposite group. The top four teams qualify for the playoffs, which include Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final.

Q3. Where can I watch upcoming IPL matches 2026 live online?

All upcoming IPL matches 2026 are streamed live on JioHotstar (digital) and broadcast on Star Sports Network (TV) across India, with commentary in 12 regional languages including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Bengali. JioHotstar offers free-tier 4K streaming, making it highly accessible for fans across the country.

Q4. What are the match timings in the IPL cricket schedule 2026?

Most matches in the IPL cricket schedule are scheduled at 7:30 PM IST on weekdays. On weekends and double-header days, there are two games — an afternoon match at 3:30 PM IST and an evening match at 7:30 PM IST. This schedule allows fans to enjoy back-to-back cricket on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the tournament.

Q5. Who are the defending champions in IPL 2026, and who won the Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup 2026?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the defending champions, having won their maiden IPL title in 2025 by defeating Punjab Kings in the final. On the international stage, Sanju Samson was named Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup 2026. Interestingly, Samson now plays for CSK after a high-profile trade involving Ravindra Jadeja, making the CSK vs RR clash one of the most anticipated matchups of the IPL 2026 season.