The Indian Premier League 2026 schedule has been officially announced, bringing another thrilling season of T20 cricket. The tournament will run from March 28 to May 31, 2026, featuring 84 exciting matches across 13 venues in India.
The opening match is set for March 28, 2026, where defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Sunrisers Hyderabad at the famous M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The venue is currently undergoing a final safety inspection before confirmation.
IPL 2026 promises high-energy matches, weekend double-headers, and top cricket action featuring global stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Fans can expect packed stadiums and massive online viewership throughout the season.
The tournament starts with back-to-back matches over nearly two months. Here are some key early fixtures:
March 28: RCB vs SRH – Bengaluru
March 29: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Mumbai
March 30: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings – Guwahati
March 31: Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans – Mullanpur
April 1: Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals – Lucknow
One of the most awaited clashes is RCB vs CSK on April 5, expected to draw huge attention worldwide.
The playoffs will feature the top four teams competing for the title:
Qualifier 1: 1st vs 2nd place
Eliminator: 3rd vs 4th place
Qualifier 2: Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator
Final: Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2
Each match will test teams under pressure as they battle for the championship.
Host Country: India
Organizer: Board of Control for Cricket in India
Format: T20
Teams: 10
Total Matches: 84
Current Champion: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2025 winners)
Records:
Most Runs: Virat Kohli
Most Wickets: Yuzvendra Chahal
The points table will be updated after every match and plays a key role in playoff qualification.
Win: 2 points
No Result: 1 point
Loss: 0 points
If teams have equal points, the Net Run Rate (NRR) decides rankings, making every run important.
The 10 teams competing this season are:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Mumbai Indians
Chennai Super Kings
Kolkata Knight Riders
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Rajasthan Royals
Delhi Capitals
Punjab Kings
Gujarat Titans
Lucknow Super Giants
Some key captains for this season include:
RCB – Rajat Patidar
Mumbai Indians – Hardik Pandya
Chennai Super Kings – Ruturaj Gaikwad
Punjab Kings – Shreyas Iyer
Gujarat Titans – Shubman Gill
Delhi Capitals – Axar Patel
The IPL 2026 opening ceremony is expected to take place on March 28 at 7:30 PM IST. The final venue will be confirmed soon.
Where to watch:
India: FanCode
USA/Canada: Willow TV
Worldwide: Tapmad, SnackVideo
Fans can also book tickets online through official platforms.
Opening Match: RCB vs SRH (March 28)
Big Clash: RCB vs CSK (April 5)
Double-Headers: Multiple weekend matches
Major Venues: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad
IPL 2026 is set to deliver non-stop entertainment with intense rivalries, star performances, and thrilling finishes. Whether you support Mumbai Indians or Chennai Super Kings, this season promises unforgettable cricket moments.
Stay updated with match schedules, live scores, and points table changes so you never miss any action.