The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is scheduled to run from 28 March 2026 to 31 May 2026. The tournament features 10 teams, 70 league-stage matches, followed by 4 playoff matches, making it one of the biggest T20 cricket leagues in the world. The opening match is Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, while the Final is scheduled for 31 May 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Unlike international tournaments where teams play a fixed round-robin format, IPL follows a league system in which every franchise plays 14 league matches before the top teams qualify for the playoffs.
IPL 2026 at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 |
| Edition | 19th |
| Start Date | 28 March 2026 |
| League Stage Ends | 24 May 2026 |
| Qualifier 1 | 26 May 2026 |
| Eliminator | 27 May 2026 |
| Qualifier 2 | 29 May 2026 |
| Final | 31 May 2026 |
| Number of Teams | 10 |
| League Matches | 70 |
| Playoff Matches | 4 |
| Total Matches | 74 |
Complete Match Schedule
The complete fixture list, including every league match, date, venue, and start time, is available in the official IPL 2026 schedule above.
Some of the opening fixtures include:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 28 March | RCB vs SRH |
| 29 March | MI vs KKR |
| 30 March | RR vs CSK |
| 31 March | PBKS vs GT |
| 1 April | LSG vs DC |
The league stage continues until 24 May 2026, after which the playoffs begin. Most weekday matches start at 7:30 PM IST, while double-header days feature matches at 3:30 PM IST and 7:30 PM IST.
Team-wise Fixtures
Each franchise plays 14 league-stage matches, including home and away fixtures against different opponents.
Participating teams are:
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
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Mumbai Indians (MI)
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Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
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Rajasthan Royals (RR)
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Gujarat Titans (GT)
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Delhi Capitals (DC)
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Punjab Kings (PBKS)
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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
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Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
The official fixture list provides the complete team-wise schedule.
Venue-wise Schedule
IPL 2026 matches are scheduled across multiple cities in India.
Major venues include:
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Bengaluru
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Mumbai
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Chennai
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Kolkata
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Ahmedabad
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Delhi
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Hyderabad
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Lucknow
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Jaipur
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Guwahati
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Dharamshala
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New Chandigarh
These venues host league-stage matches as well as the playoffs.
Playoffs Schedule
The playoff schedule is as follows:
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | 26 May 2026 | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala |
| Eliminator | 27 May 2026 | New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh |
| Qualifier 2 | 29 May 2026 | New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh |
| Final | 31 May 2026 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
The winner of Qualifier 1 advances directly to the Final, while the losing team gets another opportunity in Qualifier 2. The Eliminator is played between the teams finishing third and fourth in the league stage.
Points Table
The IPL points table changes after every match based on:
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Matches Played (P)
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Wins (W)
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Losses (L)
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Points (Pts)
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Net Run Rate (NRR)
The top four teams at the end of the league stage qualify for the playoffs. Since standings change throughout the tournament, fans should refer to the official IPL points table for the latest rankings.
Where to Watch
Fans can watch IPL 2026 through the tournament's official broadcast and streaming partners in their respective regions. Match schedules, live scores, highlights, and scorecards are also available on the official IPL website and app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When does IPL 2026 start?
IPL 2026 begins on 28 March 2026 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru.
2. When is the IPL 2026 Final?
The Final is scheduled for 31 May 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
3. How many matches are played in IPL 2026?
The tournament consists of 74 matches—70 league matches and 4 playoff matches.
4. How many teams are participating?
A total of 10 franchises are competing in IPL 2026.
5. Where can I find the complete IPL 2026 fixture list?
The official IPL schedule includes all match dates, venues, timings, and team fixtures.
The IPL 2026 promises another exciting season featuring 10 teams, 74 matches, multiple iconic venues, and nearly two months of high-quality T20 cricket. Beginning on 28 March 2026 and concluding with the Final on 31 May 2026, the tournament includes a full league stage followed by Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the championship match. Whether you're following your favorite franchise, planning stadium visits, or simply keeping track of fixtures, the official IPL schedule provides the most reliable and up-to-date information throughout the season.
Must Read: Which venues will host IPL 2026 matches?
Answered By Reyansh Choudhury
Helping cricket fans understand tournaments, schedules, formats, and match updates through accurate information, practical explanations, and trustworthy sports insights.Reyansh Choudhury is a professional sports coach and content writer with over 10 years of experience in athletic training, performance coaching, and sports education. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sports Science from Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior, and carries a Level 2 Coaching Certification from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) — credentials that place his sports writing firmly within the domain of qualified professional practice. His content covers athletic performance, fitness training, sports nutrition, game strategy, injury prevention, and the evolving landscape of professional and grassroots sport in India. His work has appeared on platforms including SportStar, Sportskeeda, and Fit & Active India, where he writes for athletes, coaches, fitness enthusiasts, and sports fans who want content backed by real field experience — not just statistics and match reports. Over a decade of coaching athletes across disciplines including cricket, athletics, and football has given Reyansh an on-ground perspective that shapes everything he writes. He has trained 500+ athletes across age groups, contributed to school and district-level sports development programmes, and published 300+ articles covering both performance science and sports culture in India. He is a registered member of the Sports Coaches Federation of India (SCFI). Across all his writing, his standard is straightforward — every training recommendation is coach-tested, every performance insight comes from direct athlete interaction, and every article is written with the credibility that only comes from a decade spent inside the sport, not just watching it.
