IPL 2026 - Schedule & Fixtures

The Indian Premier League 2026 schedule has only been finalised after much deliberation in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The league-stage fixtures have been announced in two phases owing to assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam.

The first-phase IPL 2026 schedule comprises 20 matches, starting on March 28 and ending on April 12. The 19th edition of the world's biggest franchise cricket tournament opens with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on the Ishan Kishan-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. In match 2, five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) host three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

The second phase, beginning April 13, includes 50 matches and will conclude on May 24. The league stage of IPL 2026 thus consists of 70 games, with each franchise playing 14 times. This phase features eight double-headers, with afternoon clashes starting at 03:30 PM IST and evening games beginning at 07:30 PM IST.

The top four teams after the group phase advance to the playoffs, to be held between May 25 and May 29. The playoffs stage includes four matches: Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the grand finale. The IPL 2026 final will be played on May 31.