With the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing the 2016 winner Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to begin on March 28.

The matches will take place from March 28 to May 31. The majority of the games will begin at 7:30 PM, with the toss at 7:00 PM, and will be played in the evening.

On days with doubleheaders, afternoon games will start at 3:30 p. m. IST. There will be 12 days altogether, including doubleheaders.

The top four teams from the group stage will earn a spot in the playoffs; each squad will participate in 14 games. The IPL will continue to use its well-known and exhilarating playoff structure, which includes the Eliminator, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2, and the Final, ensuring a thrilling competition for the championship.

Which cities will host IPL 2026 games?
The IPL 2026 season will run from March 28 to May 31, 2026, in 12 of India’s major cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dharamsala, Raipur, and New Chandigarh.

Which teams are participating in IPL 2026?

The teams competing are the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Mumbai Indians (MI), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gujarat Titans (GT), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

In India, where can I see the live IPL broadcast?

The entire competition will be broadcast live on Star Sports networks.

In India, where can I watch a live stream of the 2026 IPL?

The JioHotstar website and mobile app allow millions of fans to watch the live stream. With supplemental regional feeds (Bengali, Bhojpuri, and Haryanvi), JioStar’s TV and digital coverage will provide every fixture in five languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.

On JioHotstar, a live vertical feed will once more be available in Hindi and English for users who prioritize mobile devices. The Multi-cam option will also allow users to watch the games in a 360-degree perspective.