Rather than the usual 74 matches IPL 2026 will be the biggest yet with 84 matches scheduled. The IPL 2026 season is being highly awaited by cricket fans of the country. Defending Champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, vie to continue their winning streak from 2025.
Here is all details you need to know about IPL 2026 which includes Date, timing of matches, Venues, and many more.
Schedule of IPL 2026
The Indian Premier League 2026 will start on 28 March, on Sunday, March 8, 2026 the broadcaster Star Sports has confirmed. The fixtures of IPL 2026 are yet to be announced, but RCB will be looking to defend their hard-won crown.
From 26 May 2026, the playoffs for the IPL 2026 are scheduled to start with Bengaluru confirmed to host Qualifier 1 and the final of IPL 2026 on 31 May 2026. Including the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 other playoff matches are likely to be held in Ahmedabad and Raipur, though the official decision is pending.
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Keeping in mind the Assembly Elections in West Bengal and Assam, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the dates for the matches in two phases. For the first 15 days schedule of the IPL 2026 will be announced and the remaining schedule of the IPL 2026 will released after polling dates are finalized.
Opening match of IPL 2026:
As per tradition, the opening match is expected to be between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings. The final fixtures of IPL 2026 is awaited.
Playing format of IPL 2026
All the 10 teams of the Indian Premier League 2026 will compete in a ‘double round-robin’ format during which they play each other two times, one match at home and one match away. Matches of IPL 2026 will be held across 10 major cities of India, including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Raipur. The IPL 2026 season will see 4 playoff matches and 80 league matches.
Teams participated in IPL 2026
The 10 teams participated in IPL 2026 are Chennai Super Kings (led by Ruturaj Gaikwad), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Rajat Patidar), Mumbai Indians (Hardik Pandya), Kolkata Knight Riders (Ajinkya Rahane), Rajasthan Royals (Riyan Parag), Gujarat Titans (Shubman Gill), Lucknow Super Giants (Rishabh Pant), Delhi Capitals (Axar Patel), Sunrisers Hyderabad (Pat Cummins), and Punjab Kings (Shreyas Iyer).
