IPL 2026 is set to kick off on March 28. The tournament will be played in two phases and will feature a total of 70 league matches. The final is likely to take place on May 31. Fans will be able to watch the matches live on Star Sports and JioHotstar.
IPL 2026 to begin on March 28
New Delhi: The schedule for the Indian Premier League 2026 has been released, bringing great news for cricket fans. This time, the tournament is set to kick off on March 28. The opening match will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the home ground of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The season is set to begin with a match featuring the defending champions, RCB.
The BCCI has planned to organize IPL 2026 in two phases. The first phase will run from March 28 to April 12, while the second phase will take place from April 13 to May 24.
Although the tournament final is likely to be held on May 31, this has not yet been officially confirmed. The venues for the playoff matches have also not yet been announced.
A total of 70 league matches will be played in this edition of the IPL. Each team will play 14 matches during the league stage.
On days featuring double-headers, the first match will begin at 3:30 PM, and the second match will start at 7:30 PM. This ensures that fans can enjoy cricket throughout the day.
IPL 2026 will be played in a double round-robin format. This means that every team will play against every other team at least twice—once at their own home ground and once at their opponent's home ground.
This format promises to make the matches even more exciting and ensures that every team gets an equal opportunity.
All eyes will be on several big names and young talents this season. Players such as Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson, and Finn Allen are expected to be major attractions this time around. Additionally, several young Indian players are also poised to make their mark in this season.
The Lucknow Super Giants are set to take the field this time sporting a new and unique jersey. This will give the team a distinct and fresh look.
All matches of IPL 2026 will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Meanwhile, online streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website, allowing fans to enjoy the matches from anywhere.
All in all, IPL 2026 promises to be—once again—packed with excitement, new records, and thrilling encounters. Fans are in for an intense dose of non-stop cricket spanning nearly two months.
