84 matches in just over two months. That is what TATA IPL 2026 looks like. Ten teams, 14 group stage games each, and a final on May 31 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The same ground opens the season on March 28, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad. The BCCI held back the full schedule due to State Assembly elections, awaiting dates from the Election Commission of India.
The first 20 fixtures are confirmed and listed right below.
IPL 2026 First Phase Match Schedule
First 20 confirmed matches with venues and start times in IST and GMT.
| Date | Match | Venue | IST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| Mar 29, 2026 | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 11, 2026 | Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mullanpur | 3:30 PM |
| Apr 11, 2026 | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 12, 2026 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans | Lucknow | 3:30 PM |
| Apr 12, 2026 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
The standard evening slot is 7:30 PM IST. From April 4 onwards, doubleheader days bring an earlier game at 3:30 PM IST. Those days are April 4, 5, 11, and 12.
IPL 2026 Points System
Simple rules. Fourteen group stage games per team, and the top four advance.
- Win = 2 points
- Loss = 0 points
- Tie or no result = 1 point each for both teams
- Net Run Rate is the first tiebreaker when teams are level on points
IPL 2026 Playoff Format
The top two teams in the standings go in with a safety net. The third and fourth have no margin for error.
| Stage | Teams | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | 1st vs 2nd | The winner goes directly to the Final |
| Eliminator | 3rd vs 4th | The loser is eliminated |
| Qualifier 2 | Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator | The winner goes to the final. |
| Final | Two Qualifier winners | IPL 2026 champions crowned on May 31 |
The final is on May 31 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Playoff venues will be announced separately by the BCCI.
IPL 2026 Live Streaming Outside India
Every major region has a confirmed broadcaster. Here is the full list.
| Region | TV Broadcaster | Streaming Platform | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom & Ireland | Sky Sports (Cricket & Main Event) | Sky Go, NOW TV | Day £7.99 / Weekly £14.99 / Monthly £33.99 |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV | Willow TV App, Amazon Prime Add-on | $9.99/month on Prime. Also on DISH, Sling TV, DirecTV, Xfinity, Spectrum, Fubo |
| Australia | Fox Cricket (Foxtel) | Kayo Sports | 7-day free trial, no lock-in contracts |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ | Sky Go NZ, NOW App | YuppTV is available as an alternative |
| South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport App, DStv | DStv subscription required |
| Middle East & North Africa | CricLife | BeIN Connect | BeIN Sports holds streaming rights |
How to Watch IPL 2026 Live In India
Every match is on Star Sports on TV and JioHotstar for online streaming.
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV | Star Sports Network — SD, HD, multiple languages |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar — paid subscription or telecom bundle required |
| Cheapest Plan | JioHotstar Mobile at ₹79 per month |
| Free with Recharge | Jio prepaid plans from ₹349 include JioHotstar |
Star Sports covers every match across SD and HD channels in eight languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Haryanvi.
Online, JioHotstar is the only route. No free option exists this season. The lowest-priced standalone plan is ₹79 per month. Jio prepaid users with a recharge of ₹349 or above already have JioHotstar bundled with their recharge.
IPL 2026 Tournament Details
All the key facts about IPL 2026 in one table.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | TATA IPL 2026 |
| Season | 19th Edition |
| Start Date | March 28, 2026 |
| Final Date | May 31, 2026 |
| Total Matches | 84 |
| Teams | 10 |
| TV Broadcast (India) | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming (India) | JioHotstar |
| Commentary Languages | English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Haryanvi |
Suggested Topics:
FAQs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28, 2026, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
May 31, 2026, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
84 matches across the full season.
Ten teams. Each side plays 14 matches in the group stage.
TATA IPL 2026 is the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League.
The top two teams play Qualifier 1. The winner goes straight to the final. Third and fourth play the Eliminator, and the loser is eliminated from the tournament. The Qualifier 1 loser then faces the Eliminator winner in Qualifier 2, with that winner claiming the final spot in the final.
Net Run Rate separates teams that finish level on points at the end of the group stage.
No. JioHotstar is the only online option and requires either a paid plan starting at ₹79 per month or a Jio prepaid recharge of ₹349 or above.
