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IPL 2026 Key Facts & Quick Stats

The IPL 2026 schedule was released by BCCI in two phases — the first 20 matches announced on March 11, and the complete league-stage fixture revealed on March 26, 2026. Playoff venues are yet to be confirmed by BCCI. All league-stage matches begin at either 3:30 PM IST (afternoon) or 7:30 PM IST (evening). Live broadcast is on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar in 12 languages.

IPL 2026 Teams, Captains & Groups

TATA IPL 2026 features all 10 returning franchises split into two strategic groups. This season, teams play each other once within their group and twice against the other group — a reversal of the format used in the previous three years.

IPL 2026 Venues — 13 Iconic Stadiums

The IPL 2026 league stage is spread across 13 world-class cricket stadiums in India. The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru open and close the tournament at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

IPL 2026 Full Timetable — All 70 League Matches

Below is the complete IPL 2026 match schedule with all dates, match-ups, venues, and IST timings for the league stage. Bookmark this page for the most reliable IPL 2026 timetable reference.

⚠️ Schedule is subject to change per BCCI discretion. Playoff venues TBA. All timings in Indian Standard Time (IST). Source: Official BCCI / iplt20.com

IPL 2026 Playoffs Format — How Teams Qualify

The IPL 2026 playoffs follow the proven knockout format. After 70 league-stage matches, the top four teams advance to the playoffs. The IPL 2026 final is scheduled for May 31, 2026 in Bengaluru, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as the defending champions.

Why TATA IPL 2026 is Special — Key Storylines

• RCB — Defending Champions: After 18 years of waiting, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally lifted the IPL trophy in 2025 under Rajat Patidar's captaincy. Can they defend it?
• New Format Twist: IPL 2026 flips the group formula — teams now face opponents from the other group twice and same-group teams once, creating fresh rivalries and unpredictable outcomes.
• Star Captains Returning: Hardik Pandya (MI), Pat Cummins (SRH), Rishabh Pant (LSG), Shubman Gill (GT), and Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) headline an exciting set of captaincy battles.
• Auction Record — Cameron Green: KKR shattered records, paying ₹25.20 crore for Cameron Green — making him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history.
• Sanju Samson's Big Move: A blockbuster trade saw Sanju Samson move to CSK while Ravindra Jadeja headed to RR — reshaping both squads' identities overnight.
• Jofra Archer Returns: The England pacer is set to make a long-awaited comeback after injury layoffs, adding genuine pace to the competition.

IPL 2026 Fantasy Cricket Auction — Plan Your League Now

The IPL 2026 timetable is the most important tool for running a successful fantasy cricket auction league. With 74 matches spread across 65 days, the schedule creates natural draft windows, double-header opportunities, and playoff-run excitement. If you're planning your own IPL fantasy auction — from setting budgets to picking star players — the right platform makes all the difference.

CricAuction.live is India's most trusted platform for hosting digital IPL-style cricket auctions. Whether you're organizing a private league with friends, a corporate fantasy cricket event, or a large-scale IPL auction tournament, CricAuction gives you the tools to manage it all — player pools, live bidding, squad building, and more.

• Host real-time IPL player auctions online with your group
• Set custom budgets, player pools, and auction rules
• Track team squads and spending live during the auction
• Works perfectly for WhatsApp groups, office leagues, and cricket clubs

IPL 2026 Timetable — Frequently Asked Questions