IPL 2026 Schedule
The IPL 2026 schedule is finally here, and it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in the history of the Indian Premier League. BCCI officially released the IPL 2026 schedule with the tournament kicking off on 28 March 2026, when Royal Challengers Bengaluru host Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
This page gives you the complete IPL 2026 schedule including every match date, start time in IST, home and away teams, and venue details. Whether you are planning to watch live at the stadium or follow every match on Star Sports and JioCinema, this is the only IPL 2026 fixture list page you need to bookmark.
One of the biggest highlights of the IPL 2026 schedule this year is the inclusion of two brand-new venues: Guwahati and New Chandigarh. Guwahati marks IPL’s first-ever entry into North-East India, a historic moment for cricket fans in that region. New Chandigarh serves as the new home ground for Punjab Kings, replacing the PCA Stadium in Mohali.
IPL 2026 Schedule – Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Tournament | TATA IPL 2026 (Indian Premier League, Season 19) |
| Opening Match | RCB vs SRH – Match 1 |
| Start Date | 28 March 2026 (Saturday) |
| Opening Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Total Teams | 10 Teams |
| Total League Matches | 70 Matches |
| Total Playoff Matches | 4 (Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, Final) |
| Evening Match Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Day Match Time (Weekends) | 3:30 PM IST |
| New Venues in 2026 | Guwahati (Barsapara Stadium) & New Chandigarh |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network (India) |
| Free Live Streaming | JioCinema App & Website |
| Official Schedule Source | iplt20.com |
IPL 2026 Schedule – Official Fixture List (Matches 1–20)
Below is the official IPL 2026 schedule as released by BCCI. This fixture list covers the first 20 matches of the league stage. The page will be updated with remaining fixtures as they are confirmed.
| Match No | Date | Time | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28/03/26 | 7:30 PM | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru |
| 2 | 29/03/26 | 7:30 PM | MI vs KKR | Mumbai |
| 3 | 30/03/26 | 7:30 PM | RR vs CSK | Guwahati |
| 4 | 31/03/26 | 7:30 PM | PBKS vs GT | New Chandigarh |
| 5 | 01/04/26 | 7:30 PM | LSG vs DC | Lucknow |
| 6 | 02/04/26 | 7:30 PM | KKR vs SRH | Kolkata |
| 7 | 03/04/26 | 7:30 PM | CSK vs PBKS | Chennai |
| 8 | 04/04/26 | 3:30 PM | DC vs MI | Delhi |
| 9 | 04/04/26 | 7:30 PM | GT vs RR | Ahmedabad |
| 10 | 05/04/26 | 3:30 PM | SRH vs LSG | Hyderabad |
| 11 | 05/04/26 | 7:30 PM | RCB vs CSK | Bengaluru |
| 12 | 06/04/26 | 7:30 PM | KKR vs PBKS | Kolkata |
| 13 | 07/04/26 | 7:30 PM | RR vs MI | Guwahati |
| 14 | 08/04/26 | 7:30 PM | DC vs GT | Delhi |
| 15 | 09/04/26 | 7:30 PM | KKR vs LSG | Kolkata |
| 16 | 10/04/26 | 7:30 PM | RR vs RCB | Guwahati |
| 17 | 11/04/26 | 3:30 PM | PBKS vs SRH | New Chandigarh |
| 18 | 11/04/26 | 7:30 PM | CSK vs DC | Chennai |
| 19 | 12/04/26 | 3:30 PM | LSG vs GT | Lucknow |
| 20 | 12/04/26 | 7:30 PM | MI vs RCB | Mumbai |
| EDITOR’S NOTE:Matches 21 onwards will be added to this IPL 2026 schedule page as soon as BCCI releases the complete fixture list. Bookmark this page and check back for daily updates. |
IPL 2026 Schedule – Week by Week Breakdown
Opening Week: 28 March – 3 April 2026
The first week of the IPL 2026 schedule packs in seven straight matches across seven different cities. BCCI has structured the opening week so that all 10 teams get their season underway within the first five days. The IPL 2026 schedule opening week features some instantly compelling matchups including MI vs KKR on Sunday 29 March and the CSK vs RR clash in Guwahati on 30 March.
Guwahati hosting Match 3 of the IPL 2026 schedule is a landmark decision. This is the first time North-East India has featured in an IPL fixture, and the Barsapara Cricket Stadium is fully equipped to host an international-standard T20 match. Expect a sold-out crowd and a festival atmosphere when Rajasthan Royals take on Chennai Super Kings there.
Week Two: 4 April – 12 April 2026
The second week of the IPL 2026 schedule introduces double headers for the first time this season. From 4 April onwards, Saturdays and Sundays feature two matches each, a day game at 3:30 PM IST and an evening game at 7:30 PM IST. This gives fans two full matches of IPL cricket every weekend day.
The standout fixture in this stretch of the IPL 2026 schedule is Match 20 on 12 April: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Wankhede Stadium. This is one of IPL’s most-watched rivalries, and a Sunday evening slot at Wankhede makes it appointment television for cricket fans worldwide.
IPL 2026 Schedule – New Venues: Guwahati and New Chandigarh
Guwahati: IPL Comes to North-East India
The IPL 2026 schedule includes Guwahati as a host city for the very first time. The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, also known as the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium, holds approximately 40,000 spectators. It has previously hosted India international matches and the stadium infrastructure is well-prepared for the intensity of IPL cricket.
In the first 20 matches of the IPL 2026 schedule, Guwahati hosts three fixtures: Match 3 (RR vs CSK), Match 13 (RR vs MI), and Match 16 (RR vs RCB). Rajasthan Royals are using Guwahati as their secondary home ground this season, which brings top-quality IPL cricket to a region that has been hungry for exactly this kind of exposure.
New Chandigarh: Punjab Kings’ Fresh Start
Punjab Kings switch from the PCA Stadium in Mohali to a new facility in New Chandigarh for the IPL 2026 schedule. This change gives the team a fresh home base and expands the reach of IPL cricket across the greater Chandigarh region. Match 4 (PBKS vs GT on 31 March) and Match 17 (PBKS vs SRH on 11 April) are the confirmed New Chandigarh fixtures in the opening portion of the IPL 2026 schedule.
IPL 2026 Schedule – Match Timings and Time Zone Guide
Understanding the IPL 2026 schedule match timings is important, especially for international viewers. Here is a complete time zone reference so you never miss a ball.
| Match Type | IST | GMT | EST (USA) | PST (USA) | AEST (Australia) |
| Evening Match (Daily) | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM | 9:00 AM | 6:00 AM | 12:30 AM (+1) |
| Day Match (Weekend) | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM | 5:00 AM | 2:00 AM | 8:30 PM |
| Toss – Evening | 7:00 PM | 1:30 PM | 8:30 AM | 5:30 AM | 12:00 AM (+1) |
| Toss – Day Game | 3:00 PM | 9:30 AM | 4:30 AM | 1:30 AM | 8:00 PM |
Almost every match in the IPL 2026 schedule starts at 7:30 PM IST, which is prime time for Indian audiences. Weekend double headers follow a split format with the first game at 3:30 PM IST and the second at 7:30 PM IST, giving fans in India a full afternoon and evening of live cricket.
IPL 2026 Schedule – Where and How to Watch Every Match
Watch on TV
- Star Sports 1 HD – Live coverage in English for all IPL 2026 matches
- Star Sports 1 Hindi HD – Hindi commentary, the most popular broadcast option in India
- Star Sports Tamil, Telugu, Kannada – Regional language options available
- Available via all major DTH providers: Tata Sky, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV
Watch Free Online
- JioHotstar – Live streaming for all IPL 2026 matches in India
- Available on Android, iOS, Smart TV, and web browsers
- HD quality available for Jio SIM users
- Official IPL YouTube channel – same-day highlights and match clips, free
Watch Outside India
- Willow TV – USA and Canada viewers
- Sky Sports – United Kingdom viewers
- SuperSport – South Africa viewers
- Fox Sports – Australia viewers
IPL 2026 Schedule – Every Team’s First Match
One of the most searched queries around the IPL 2026 schedule is when each specific team plays their opening game. The table below gives you every team’s first fixture at a glance.
| Team | First Match | Date | Opponent | Venue |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Match 1 | 28 Mar (Sat) | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Match 1 | 28 Mar (Sat) | RCB | Bengaluru |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Match 2 | 29 Mar (Sun) | KKR | Mumbai |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Match 2 | 29 Mar (Sun) | Mumbai Indians | Mumbai |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Match 3 | 30 Mar (Mon) | Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Match 3 | 30 Mar (Mon) | Rajasthan Royals | Guwahati |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Match 4 | 31 Mar (Tue) | Gujarat Titans | New Chandigarh |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | Match 4 | 31 Mar (Tue) | Punjab Kings | New Chandigarh |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Match 5 | 01 Apr (Wed) | Delhi Capitals | Lucknow |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Match 5 | 01 Apr (Wed) | Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow |
Notice that the IPL 2026 schedule is structured so that all 10 teams play their opening match within the first five days. This is deliberate BCCI planning to keep the entire fan base engaged right from the tournament’s first weekend.
IPL 2026 Schedule – Venue-wise Match Distribution
The IPL 2026 schedule spreads matches across 10 cities. Here is how the first 20 matches break down by venue, based on official BCCI data.
| City / Venue | Stadium | Matches (1-20) | Match Numbers |
| Bengaluru | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 2 | 1, 11 |
| Mumbai | Wankhede Stadium | 2 | 2, 20 |
| Guwahati | Barsapara Cricket Stadium | 3 | 3, 13, 16 |
| New Chandigarh | New Chandigarh Cricket Stadium | 2 | 4, 17 |
| Lucknow | BRSABV Ekana Stadium | 2 | 5, 19 |
| Kolkata | Eden Gardens | 3 | 6, 12, 15 |
| Chennai | MA Chidambaram Stadium | 2 | 7, 18 |
| Delhi | Arun Jaitley Stadium | 2 | 8, 14 |
| Ahmedabad | Narendra Modi Stadium | 1 | 9 |
| Hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi Intl. Stadium | 1 | 10 |
Guwahati and Kolkata lead the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule with three matches each. Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket ground with 132,000 capacity, hosts just one match in this opening phase but is expected to feature prominently in the later stages and playoffs.
IPL 2026 Schedule – 5 Must-Watch Matches in the Opening Phase
1. Match 2: MI vs KKR – 29 March, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
The second match of the IPL 2026 schedule pits five-time champions Mumbai Indians against defending IPL 2024 winners Kolkata Knight Riders. This is a clash of two of IPL’s most successful franchises, and a Sunday evening slot at Wankhede makes it one of the most anticipated fixtures in the entire IPL 2026 schedule. MI’s home crowd at Wankhede is among the loudest in world cricket.
2. Match 3: RR vs CSK – 30 March, Guwahati (Historic First IPL Match in North-East India)
This match holds a place in cricket history as the first IPL game ever to be played in North-East India. The IPL 2026 schedule brings Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings to Guwahati, and you can expect a full house of passionate local fans who have waited years for this moment. The atmosphere is expected to be electric.
3. Match 9: GT vs RR – 4 April, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
The world’s largest cricket stadium hosts Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals in this early IPL 2026 schedule fixture. With over 100,000 fans expected to fill the Narendra Modi Stadium, the scale of this match alone makes it a must-watch. GT playing at home in front of that crowd will be an incredible sight.
4. Match 11: RCB vs CSK – 5 April, Bengaluru
RCB vs CSK is the fixture that most IPL fans circle on the calendar every single year. Two massive fan bases, two legendary teams, and the added backdrop of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium’s passionate crowd. In the IPL 2026 schedule, this Sunday evening clash arrives in just the second weekend of the tournament.
5. Match 20: MI vs RCB – 12 April, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru is one of the standout rivalry matches in the IPL 2026 schedule. A Sunday evening game at Wankhede between two of the most-followed teams in IPL history, this is appointment viewing for fans in India and millions watching internationally on JioHotstar and Star Sports.
IPL 2026 Schedule – Playoffs Format Explained
After the 70-match league stage wraps up, the IPL 2026 schedule moves into the playoffs. The top four teams on the points table qualify for the knockout stage. Here is exactly how the playoff format works.
| Stage | Teams | Advantage | Expected Date |
| Qualifier 1 | 1st vs 2nd (Points Table) | Winner goes directly to Final. Loser gets second chance. | Late May 2026 |
| Eliminator | 3rd vs 4th (Points Table) | Winner advances to Qualifier 2. Loser is eliminated. | Late May 2026 |
| Qualifier 2 | Qualifier 1 loser vs Eliminator winner | Winner reaches Final. Loser is eliminated. | Late May 2026 |
| IPL 2026 Final | Qualifier 1 winner vs Qualifier 2 winner | IPL 2026 Champion is crowned. | Late May / June 2026 |
The key advantage in the IPL 2026 schedule playoff format belongs to the top two teams in the standings. Finishing in the top two gives a team two chances to reach the final, a crucial edge that teams fight hard for during the league stage.
IPL 2026 Schedule – Frequently Asked Questions
When will IPL 2026 start?
IPL 2026 starts on 28 March 2026 (Saturday). The opening match of the IPL 2026 schedule is Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, with a 7:30 PM IST start time.
What time do IPL 2026 matches start?
Evening matches in the IPL 2026 schedule start at 7:30 PM IST, with the toss at 7:00 PM. Weekend double-header day games start at 3:30 PM IST, with toss at 3:00 PM. Almost all weekday fixtures in the IPL 2026 schedule are evening matches.
How many matches are in the IPL 2026 schedule?
The IPL 2026 schedule includes 74 total matches: 70 league stage matches across the group stage, plus 4 playoff matches (Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final).
Which are the new venues in the IPL 2026 schedule?
The IPL 2026 schedule introduces two new venues: Guwahati (Barsapara Cricket Stadium) and New Chandigarh. Guwahati makes history as the first North-East Indian city to host an IPL match. New Chandigarh is the new home ground for Punjab Kings, replacing the PCA Stadium in Mohali.
What is the first match in the IPL 2026 schedule?
Match 1 of the IPL 2026 schedule is Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad on 28 March 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Toss at 7:00 PM IST, match starts 7:30 PM IST.
Where can I watch IPL 2026 matches for free?
JioCinema (app and website) broadcasts every match in the IPL 2026 schedule completely free in India. Star Sports network handles TV coverage. International viewers can access the IPL 2026 schedule matches via Willow TV (USA/Canada), Sky Sports (UK), and Fox Sports (Australia).
When is the IPL 2026 final?
The IPL 2026 final is expected in late May or early June 2026. BCCI will confirm the exact date and venue of the final once the complete IPL 2026 schedule is released. Based on previous seasons, Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and Eden Gardens in Kolkata are the most likely final venues.
Which teams are participating in IPL 2026?
All 10 IPL franchises are part of the IPL 2026 schedule: Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Gujarat Titans (GT), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Stay Updated With the Complete IPL 2026 Schedule
This page is your one-stop destination for the complete IPL 2026 schedule. From the opening match on 28 March to the final in late May, every fixture, date, time, and venue detail will be updated here as soon as BCCI confirms it. The IPL 2026 schedule for matches 21 onwards will be added to the table above immediately after the official full fixture list is published.
The IPL 2026 schedule this year stands out for several reasons. New venues in Guwahati and New Chandigarh bring IPL cricket to new audiences. The structured double header weekends mean more cricket packed into the schedule. And with all 10 teams playing within the first five days, the IPL 2026 schedule gives fans no chance to look away from the action.
Bookmark this page, check it before every match day, and never miss a single fixture from the IPL 2026 schedule. For live scores and the updated points table, visit our IPL 2026 Points Table page.
Source: BCCI official IPL 2026 schedule release | iplt20.com | Page maintained by t20pulse.com
Disclaimer: Fixtures listed are based on the official BCCI release. Schedule is subject to change. Always confirm with iplt20.com for last-minute venue or timing updates.