The IPL 2026 Fair Play Award has been won by Punjab Kings, who finished at the top of the sportsmanship standings with an impressive average of 10.00 points per match. T
While most fans focus on the IPL trophy race, Orange Cap, and Purple Cap standings, the Fair Play Award remains one of the league’s most respected honors.
In this article, you’ll find the final IPL 2026 Fair Play Award points table, an explanation of how the scoring system works, a complete list of past winners, and key records from the award’s history.
IPL 2026 Fair Play Award Points Table
Here is the complete IPL 2026 Fair Play Award standings at the conclusion of the tournament.
| Position | Team | Matches | Total Points | Average (NRR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punjab Kings | 14 | 140 | 10.00 |
| 2 | Chennai Super Kings | 14 | 138 | 9.86 |
| 3 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 14 | 138 | 9.86 |
| 4 | Lucknow Super Giants | 14 | 138 | 9.86 |
| 5 | Gujarat Titans | 17 | 157 | 9.81 |
| 6 | Rajasthan Royals | 16 | 157 | 9.81 |
| 7 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 15 | 145 | 9.67 |
| 8 | Mumbai Indians | 14 | 135 | 9.64 |
| 9 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 17 | 142 | 9.47 |
| 10 | Delhi Capitals | 14 | 130 | 9.29 |
How Is the IPL Fair Play Award Calculated?
The IPL Fair Play Award is based on a structured scoring system managed by match officials after every game.
Three umpires (two on-field and the third umpire) evaluate both teams after each match and assign points across four categories.
| Criteria | Max Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit of the Game | 4 | 40% |
| Respect for Opposition | 2 | 20% |
| Respect for Laws of Cricket | 2 | 20% |
| Respect for Umpires | 2 | 20% |
| Total per Match | 10 | 100% |
The Spirit of the Game category carries the most weight at 4 points. This covers things like unnecessary sledging, time-wasting, and general attitude on the field.
At the end of the season, the winner is decided by the highest average points per match, not total points.
This is an important distinction. Teams that qualify for playoffs play more matches, so using average points ensures fairness.
IPL Fair Play Award Winners List (2008 to 2026)
Here is the complete history of every IPL Fair Play Award winner since the tournament’s inception.
| Year | Winner | Captain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | First-ever winner |
| 2009 | Kings XI Punjab | Yuvraj Singh | Season held in South Africa |
| 2010 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Also won IPL title |
| 2011 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | Also won IPL title |
| 2012 | Rajasthan Royals | Rahul Dravid | Dravid’s calm leadership |
| 2013 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | 4th Fair Play win |
| 2014 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | 5th Fair Play win |
| 2015 | Chennai Super Kings | MS Dhoni | 6th Fair Play win |
| 2016 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | David Warner | Also won IPL title |
| 2017 | Gujarat Lions | Suresh Raina | Franchise’s final season |
| 2018 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | MI’s first Fair Play win |
| 2019 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kane Williamson | 2nd SRH win |
| 2020 | Mumbai Indians | Rohit Sharma | Also won IPL title (UAE) |
| 2021 | Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson | Split season (India+UAE) |
| 2022 | GT / RR (Shared) | Pandya / Samson | Only shared win in history |
| 2023 | Delhi Capitals | David Warner | DC’s only Fair Play win |
| 2024 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Pat Cummins | 3rd SRH win |
| 2025 | Chennai Super Kings | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Record 7th CSK win |
| 2026 | Punjab Kings | Shikhar Dhawan / Jitesh Sharma | Second title for the franchise (first since 2009) |
Which Teams Have Won the Most IPL Fair Play Awards?
| Team | Fair Play Wins | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 7 | 2008, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 25 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 3 (incl. shared) | 2012, 2021, 2022 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 3 | 2016, 2019, 2024 |
| Mumbai Indians | 2 | 2018, 2020 |
| Punjab Kings | 2 | 2009, 2025 |
| Gujarat Lions | 1 | 2017 |
| Gujarat Titans | 1 (shared) | 2022 |
| Delhi Capitals | 1 | 2023 |
CSK’s seven Fair Play wins in 16 played seasons (they were banned in 2016 and 2017) translates to a roughly 44% win rate for this award alone.
MS Dhoni captained CSK during their first six Fair Play wins. His famously calm temperament and refusal to argue with umpires set the tone for the entire squad.
Even after Dhoni stepped back, CSK won a 7th Fair Play title in 2025 under Ruturaj Gaikwad. That speaks to a franchise-wide culture, not just one player.
IPL Teams That Have Never Won the Fair Play Award
Despite 19 completed IPL seasons, three current franchises are still waiting for their first Fair Play Award.
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR have won three IPL titles (2012, 2014, 2024) but have never topped the Fair Play standings.
They finished dead last in IPL 2025 with a 9.00 average. Interestingly, they are at 10.00 in IPL 2026 so far, which is a significant improvement.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB won their maiden IPL trophy in 2025 but have never managed the Fair Play Award.
Their best Fair Play finish came in seasons where they were less competitive on the points table. Passion on the field, it seems, comes at a Fair Play cost.
Lucknow Super Giants
LSG joined the IPL in 2022, so they have only had four seasons. Still, no Fair Play win so far.
As a newer franchise, they have time to build the kind of disciplined culture that CSK has taken years to establish.
Does the Fair Play Award Affect IPL Playoff Qualification?
This is one of the most common questions fans ask, and the answer is a clear no.
Fair Play points are completely separate from the IPL points table. They do not influence NRR, standings, or playoff qualification in any way.
The award is purely a recognition of sportsmanship. Think of it as cricket’s version of a conduct grade on your school report card.
That said, there is an interesting trend. Only four times has a team won both the IPL title and the Fair Play Award in the same season: CSK (2010, 2011), SRH (2016), and MI (2020).
So winning fair does not always mean winning the trophy. But it certainly does not hurt either.
What Does the IPL Fair Play Award Winner Get?
Unlike the Orange Cap or Purple Cap, the IPL Fair Play Award does not come with a cash prize.
The winning team receives a trophy at the end of the season. The reward is purely about reputation and recognition.
However, for franchises, it carries significant brand value. A team known for playing fair attracts sponsors who value positive public image.
CSK’s repeated Fair Play wins have contributed to their status as one of the most respected franchises globally, beyond just trophies.
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Final Thoughts: Punjab Kings Secures the Fair Play Crown In IPL 2026
Punjab Kings capped off an impressive IPL 2026 campaign by securing the Fair Play Award with a perfect average of 10.00 points per match, finishing ahead of Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants. It marks the franchise’s second Fair Play title and their first since 2009.
Although the award does not affect league standings or playoff qualification, it remains one of the most respected achievements in the IPL. It reflects a team’s commitment to playing cricket in the right spirit while maintaining high standards of conduct throughout the season.
With Punjab Kings joining the list of Fair Play champions once again and Chennai Super Kings continuing to hold the record with seven titles, the award remains a reminder that success in the IPL is measured by more than just trophies and points. Sportsmanship, respect, and professionalism continue to be at the heart of the tournament.
