BCCI unveiled the complete IPL 2026 schedule on March 11, marking the 19th edition with 84 high-octane matches across 10 teams from March 28 to May 31. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru open against Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, promising fireworks amid expanded double round-robin action.
Tournament Timeline
League phase spans March 28 to May 24, accommodating state elections with phased releases—first 15-20 days now out, rest post-polls. Playoffs ignite May 26: Qualifier 1 (Bengaluru), Eliminator (Mullanpur), Qualifier 2 (Ahmedabad), culminating in the May 31 final at Chinnaswamy. Evening games at 7:30 PM IST dominate, weekend double-headers split 3:30 PM/7:30 PM slots.
Opening Week Fixtures
First-phase marquee clashes set the pace:
All 10 Teams & Home Bases
Familiar faces return post-December 2025 auction: RCB, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants. Key captains include MS Dhoni (CSK), Hardik Pandya (MI), Shreyas Iyer (KKR), Rishabh Pant (LSG).
| Team | Primary Home Venue | Key Strengths |
|---|
Venue Highlights
Matches spread across 13+ stadiums, prioritizing metros: Wankhede, Eden Gardens, Chepauk, Chinnaswamy, plus Narendra Modi (Qualifier 2/Final host), Ekana, and Guwahati openers. Tickets via official apps/booking partners; JioCinemaHotstar streams free globally.
Playoff Roadmap
- Qualifier 1: Top 2 teams, Bengaluru (May 26)
- Eliminator: 3rd vs 4th, Mullanpur (May 27)
- Qualifier 2: Loser Q1 vs Eliminator winner, Ahmedabad (May 29)
- Final: Winner Q2 vs Q1 winner, Bengaluru (May 31)
Fans anticipate rivalries like MI-CSK, RCB-KKR, with auctions boosting squads—full PDFs downloadable from BCCI site soon. This TATA IPL promises record crowds and drama under lights.
