IPL 2026 – Latest News, Team, Player List, Schedule, Venue, Points Table and More
As the ICC tournaments and domestic leagues conclude, attention now shifts to the shortest format of the game, T20 cricket. The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to take place from March 28, 2026 and will continue until May 2026. Franchises have already begun preparations for the cash-rich league, building strategies and strengthening their squads for the new season.
Following the auction and squad announcements, the countdown has begun for the world’s premier franchise cricket league. Ten teams will compete for glory this season. Players will be eager to deliver outstanding performances and help their teams secure the IPL trophy.
IPL 2026 Teams
The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will aim to retain their title in the upcoming season. They won the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings, marking their historic first IPL championship. The ten teams participating in IPL 2026 are:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
IPL 2026 Captains List
Several franchises have confirmed their captains for the IPL 2026 season, while some teams have made leadership adjustments ahead of the tournament. The confirmed captains for IPL 2026 are:
- Chennai Super Kings – Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Delhi Capitals – Axar Patel
- Gujarat Titans – Shubman Gill
- Kolkata Knight Riders – Shreyas Iyer
- Lucknow Super Giants – Rishabh Pant
- Mumbai Indians – Hardik Pandya
- Punjab Kings – Shreyas Iyer
- Rajasthan Royals – Riyan Parag
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Rajat Patidar
- Sunrisers Hyderabad – Ishan Kishan (Interim Captain)
Note: Ishan Kishan has been appointed interim captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad as Pat Cummins is currently unavailable.
IPL 2026 Schedule, Date, and Times
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the schedule for the 19th edition of the IPL. The tournament will commence on March 28, 2026. A total of 74 matches will be played, including the league stage and playoffs. Each team will play 14 matches during the league stage.
The opening match will feature Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The playoffs will follow the standard format with Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final.
IPL 2026 Points Table
The performance of all teams in IPL 2026 will be reflected in the points table, which will display the standings based on match results throughout the tournament.
The top four teams at the end of the league stage will qualify for the playoffs. Teams will be ranked based on the number of matches won during the league stage. If two teams finish with the same number of wins, the Net Run Rate (NRR) will be used as the tiebreaker to determine their position in the standings.
IPL 2026 Venues
The IPL 2026 matches will be hosted across several iconic stadiums in India, including:
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
- Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
- HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
Where to Watch IPL 2026 – Live Streaming
Following the merger of Reliance Industries and Walt Disney Co’s Indian media assets, live sports coverage continues to expand across digital platforms. IPL 2026 matches will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, while online streaming will be available on JioHotstar, allowing fans to watch matches live across mobile devices, tablets, and smart TVs.
IPL 2026 Tickets
Tickets for IPL 2026 matches will be available through official platforms closer to the match dates. Fans will be able to purchase tickets through platforms such as:
- Paytm Insider
- BookMyShow
- Official team websites
- TicketMaster
Ticket prices may vary depending on the city, stadium, and seating category. Fans are advised to check official announcements for accurate updates on ticket availability.
As the excitement builds for IPL 2026, fans can expect thrilling contests, spectacular performances, and unforgettable moments throughout the tournament. With the world’s top cricketers competing across India’s iconic venues, the 19th season promises another grand celebration of T20 cricket.
