The wait is finally over! IPL 2026 is set to get underway on March 28 in Bengaluru, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru launching their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Running through to May 31, the tournament promises two months of non-stop T20 action across ten franchises.
The BCCI has released the schedule in two phases, with the first 20 days now confirmed. The final is set to return to Chinnaswamy Stadium, making it a full-circle moment. Brace yourself, IPL 2026 is here, and it’s bigger than ever!
IPL 2026 Full Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) | Time (GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 28, 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Mar 29, 2026 | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Mumbai | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Lucknow | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | Chennai | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Delhi | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Chennai | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 7, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans | Delhi | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants | Kolkata | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 11, 2026 | Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mullanpur | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Apr 11, 2026 | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals | Chennai | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Apr 12, 2026 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans | Lucknow | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Apr 12, 2026 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Mumbai | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
Points System
- Win → 2 points awarded to the winning team
- Loss → 0 points awarded to the losing team
- Tie / No Result → 1 point each to both teams
- Net Run Rate (NRR) is used as the first tiebreaker when two or more teams are level on points
- Each team plays 14 league matches across the group stage
- The top 4 teams on the points table at the end of the league stage qualify for the playoffs
Playoffs Format
- Qualifier 1 → 1st place vs 2nd place: the winner goes directly to the Final
- Eliminator → 3rd place vs 4th place: the loser is eliminated from the tournament
- Qualifier 2 → The loser of Qualifier 1 faces the winner of the Eliminator; the winner advances to the Final
- The Final → The two Qualifier winners face off for the IPL 2026 trophy on 31 May
- This format gives the top two teams two chances to reach the final, while 3rd and 4th place teams get only one shot
- All playoff matches are played at neutral or pre-designated venues announced by the BCCI
