The Board of Control for Cricket in India has officially released the complete schedule for the Indian Premier League 2026, confirming a 74-match season that will run from March 28 to May 31 across multiple venues in India. The schedule was announced in two phases due to logistical considerations, with the second phase set to begin on April 13.
With marquee clashes such as Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings, the emergence of young talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and record-breaking auction deals, IPL 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and commercially significant seasons in the league’s history.
IPL 2026 Schedule, Teams, Tickets and Auction Highlights – Key Takeaways
- Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed a 74-match IPL 2026 season
- Tournament runs from March 28 to May 31, 2026
- Opening match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Second phase: April 13 to May 24 (50 matches across 12 venues)
- MI vs CSK clashes scheduled on April 23 and May 2
- Revised format: same group once, opposite group twice
- 8 double-headers with afternoon and evening fixtures
- Tickets available via BookMyShow and District by Zomato
- Cameron Green became most expensive overseas player
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi emerges as rising star
Tournament Format, Group Division and Points Table System
IPL 2026 continues with a revised group-based structure. Teams are divided into two groups based on the number of titles won, altering how fixtures are played compared to previous seasons.
Group Distribution
| Group A | Group B |
| Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai Indians |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Rajasthan Royals | Gujarat Titans |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals |
| Punjab Kings | Lucknow Super Giants |
Teams will play once against others in the same group and twice against teams from the opposite group.
Points Table and Qualification Rules
Each team earns two points for a win, while no points are awarded for a loss. The top four teams at the end of the league stage will qualify for the playoffs.
| Stage | Description |
| Qualifier 1 | Top 2 teams |
| Eliminator | 3rd vs 4th |
| Qualifier 2 | Decider match |
| Final | Championship match |
Full IPL 2026 Match Schedule (League Stage)
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
| March 28 | RCB vs SRH | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| March 29 | MI vs KKR | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
| March 30 | RR vs CSK | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| March 31 | PBKS vs GT | 7:30 PM | Mullanpur |
| April 1 | LSG vs DC | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| April 2 | KKR vs SRH | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| April 3 | CSK vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| April 4 | DC vs MI | 3:30 PM | Delhi |
| April 4 | GT vs RR | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| April 5 | SRH vs LSG | 3:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| April 5 | RCB vs CSK | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| April 6 | KKR vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| April 7 | RR vs MI | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| April 8 | DC vs GT | 7:30 PM | Delhi |
| April 9 | KKR vs LSG | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| April 10 | RR vs RCB | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| April 11 | PBKS vs SRH | 3:30 PM | Mullanpur |
| April 11 | CSK vs DC | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| April 12 | LSG vs GT | 3:30 PM | Lucknow |
| April 12 | MI vs RCB | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
| April 13 | SRH vs RR | 7:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| April 14 | CSK vs KKR | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| April 15 | RCB vs LSG | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| April 16 | MI vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
| April 17 | GT vs KKR | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| April 18 | RCB vs DC | 3:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| April 18 | SRH vs CSK | 7:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| April 19 | KKR vs RR | 3:30 PM | Kolkata |
| April 19 | PBKS vs LSG | 7:30 PM | New Chandigarh |
| April 20 | GT vs MI | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| April 21 | SRH vs DC | 7:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| April 22 | LSG vs RR | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| April 23 | MI vs CSK | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
| April 24 | RCB vs GT | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| April 25 | DC vs PBKS | 3:30 PM | Delhi |
| April 25 | RR vs SRH | 7:30 PM | Jaipur |
| April 26 | GT vs CSK | 3:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| April 26 | LSG vs KKR | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| April 27 | DC vs RCB | 7:30 PM | Delhi |
| April 28 | PBKS vs RR | 7:30 PM | New Chandigarh |
| April 29 | MI vs SRH | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
| April 30 | GT vs RCB | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| May 1 | RR vs DC | 7:30 PM | Jaipur |
| May 2 | CSK vs MI | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| May 3 | SRH vs KKR | 3:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| May 3 | GT vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| May 4 | MI vs LSG | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
| May 5 | DC vs CSK | 7:30 PM | Delhi |
| May 6 | SRH vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| May 7 | LSG vs RCB | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| May 8 | DC vs KKR | 7:30 PM | Delhi |
| May 9 | RR vs GT | 7:30 PM | Jaipur |
| May 10 | CSK vs LSG | 3:30 PM | Chennai |
| May 10 | RCB vs MI | 7:30 PM | Raipur |
| May 11 | PBKS vs DC | 7:30 PM | Dharamshala |
| May 12 | GT vs SRH | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| May 13 | RCB vs KKR | 7:30 PM | Raipur |
| May 14 | PBKS vs MI | 7:30 PM | Dharamshala |
| May 15 | LSG vs CSK | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| May 16 | KKR vs GT | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| May 17 | PBKS vs RCB | 3:30 PM | Dharamshala |
| May 17 | DC vs RR | 7:30 PM | Delhi |
| May 18 | CSK vs SRH | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| May 19 | RR vs LSG | 7:30 PM | Jaipur |
| May 20 | KKR vs MI | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| May 21 | CSK vs GT | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| May 22 | SRH vs RCB | 7:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| May 23 | LSG vs PBKS | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| May 24 | MI vs RR | 3:30 PM | Mumbai |
| May 24 | KKR vs DC | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
Ticket Booking, Pricing and Platforms
Ticket demand for IPL 2026 remains high, with bookings available online and offline. Platforms such as BookMyShow and District by Zomato are handling ticket sales for multiple franchises, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru continues with its own booking system.
Ticket prices vary significantly depending on venue and seating category, ranging from ₹499 to ₹65,800.
Auction Highlights and Key Financial Developments
The IPL 2026 auction saw significant financial activity. Cameron Green emerged as the most expensive overseas player. However, salary caps ensure financial balance, with excess amounts redirected to the BCCI welfare fund.
Chennai Super Kings signed uncapped players at record prices, highlighting the growing importance of domestic talent.
Team Insights and Player Storylines
Teams like Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals enter the season with different strengths and challenges. Gujarat Titans rely heavily on their top order, while Lucknow aims to improve its bowling performance.
Rajasthan Royals begin a new phase under Riyan Parag, while Delhi Capitals will depend on experienced players like KL Rahul.
Young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains one of the most exciting prospects of the season.
IPL 2026 Set to Deliver High-Intensity Cricket and Global Attention
As IPL 2026 progresses, the competition is expected to intensify with teams battling for playoff positions. The combination of experienced players, emerging talent, strategic gameplay and massive fan engagement ensures that this season will once again highlight the global appeal of the league.
With packed stadiums, high-profile rivalries and strong commercial growth, IPL 2026 is set to deliver another defining chapter in the history of franchise cricket.
Spiritual Insight: True Knowledge and Inner Peace in the Light of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji
Amid the excitement, competition and material success associated with tournaments like IPL 2026, it is equally important to reflect on the deeper purpose of human life. According to Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj, true happiness is not achieved through temporary achievements or worldly victories, but through attaining spiritual knowledge and devotion to the Supreme God.
While sports bring joy and unity, they are momentary. The teachings of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji emphasize that real and everlasting peace comes from understanding the true path of worship as described in holy scriptures. His spiritual knowledge guides individuals toward a life free from sorrow, fear and rebirth.
In a world driven by competition and success, this wisdom reminds us that alongside material progress, spiritual awakening is essential for complete fulfillment.
FAQs on IPL 2026 Full Schedule, Teams, Tickets and Format
1. When will IPL 2026 start and end?
IPL 2026 will start on March 28, 2026, and the league stage will end on May 24, with the final expected by May 31, 2026.
2. How many matches will be played in IPL 2026?
A total of 74 matches will be played in IPL 2026, including 70 league matches and playoff games featuring the top four teams.
3. What is the IPL 2026 format and group system?
Teams are divided into two groups. Each team plays once within its group and twice against teams from the opposite group.
4. When are Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings matches scheduled in IPL 2026?
Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will face each other on April 23 in Mumbai and May 2 in Chennai.
5. Where can fans buy IPL 2026 tickets and what are the prices?
Tickets are available on BookMyShow, District by Zomato and team platforms, with prices ranging from ₹499 to ₹65,800.















