The 19th season of the Indian Premier League will begin on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Star Sports, the official broadcaster, confirmed the date on March 8, just hours before the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play the opening match of the tournament. The team won its first-ever IPL title last year after beating Punjab Kings in the final. As defending champions, RCB will host the opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The same venue will also host the final on May 31.
Teams And Match Count
This season will feature 84 matches spread across 10 teams. The BCCI expanded the match count from 74 to 84 starting this year. All 10 teams from last season return, including Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants.
Why The Start Date Changed
The BCCI originally planned to start the season on March 15. However, it pushed the date to allow a three-week gap after the T20 World Cup final on March 8. The start date shifted once more by two days, settling on March 28.
Schedule Rollout in Two Phases
The board will release the schedule in two phases. The first phase covers the opening weeks of the league stage. The second phase, which includes the playoffs, will come later. This approach helps the BCCI work around state election schedules, a method it also used during the 2024 season.
Matches will take place at multiple venues across India. Fans can watch live on Star Sports or stream on JioHotstar. The Tata Group continues as the title sponsor after renewing its deal through 2028.
With a longer season and more matches than ever, IPL 2026 promises weeks of exciting cricket for fans across the country.
