IPL 2026: Date, match schedule, venue, and competing teams

The Indian Premier League or IPL 2026 season is being highly awaited by cricket fans in the country. With 84 matches scheduled, rather than the usual 74, this IPL will be the biggest yet as defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, vie to continue their winning streak from 2025

Here’s everything you need to know about IPL 2026, including date, timings, venues, and more.

IPL 2026 schedule

The Indian Premier League will begin on March 28, broadcaster Star Sports has confirmed on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The fixtures are yet to be announced, but RCB will be looking to defend their hard-won crown.

The playoffs for the IPL are scheduled to begin from May 26 2026, with Bengaluru confirmed to host Qualifier 1 and the final on May 31 2026. Other playoff matches, including the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, are likely to be held in Ahmedabad and Raipur, though the official decision is awaited.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the dates for the matches in two phases, keeping in mind the Assembly Elections in West Bengal and Assam. The schedule for the first 15 days will be announced, with the remaining to be released after polling dates are finalised.

IPL opening match

The opening match is expected to be between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, as per tradition. The final call on the fixtures is awaited.

IPL playing format

The 10 teams of the Indian Premier League will compete in a ‘double round-robin’ format in which they play each other twice, once away and once at home. Matches will be held across 10 major cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Raipur.

The 2026 season will see 80 league matches and 4 playoff matches.

Teams competing in IPL 2026

The teams competing in this IPL are Chennai Super Kings (led by Ruturaj Gaikwad), Mumbai Indians (Hardik Pandya), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Rajat Patidar), Kolkata Knight Riders (Ajinkya Rahane), Gujarat Titans (Shubman Gill), Rajasthan Royals (Riyan Parag), Lucknow Super Giants (Rishabh Pant), Sunrisers Hyderabad (Pat Cummins), Delhi Capitals (Axar Patel), and Punjab Kings (Shreyas Iyer).