New Delhi, India — March 26, 2026
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has officially unveiled the complete league-stage schedule for the Indian Premier League 2026, confirming that all 70 league matches will be played between March 28 and May 24. While the board has provided clarity on fixtures, venues, and match timings, it has not yet formally announced the playoff schedule or final venue.
According to Press Trust of India, the IPL 2026 final is expected to take place on May 31 in Bengaluru. However, the BCCI has not officially confirmed the playoff venues and dates.
Complete League Schedule Overview
The 19th edition of the IPL will begin on March 28, 2026, with the opening match scheduled in Bengaluru. Earlier, the BCCI had released the schedule for the first 20 matches. With the latest announcement, the remaining 50 fixtures have now been added, completing the full league-stage calendar of 70 matches.
The second phase of the tournament will run from April 13 to May 24. The final league-stage match is scheduled between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals in Kolkata.
Reason Behind Split Schedule
The IPL 2026 schedule was released in two phases due to upcoming legislative assembly elections across several Indian states, including Assam, Puducherry, Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
The election results are expected on May 4. The BCCI scheduled the second phase after factoring in security and logistical arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of matches without interference from election-related activities.
🏆 Defending Champions Set for Title Defense
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore will begin their campaign aiming to retain the title after winning their first-ever IPL trophy in 2025, defeating Punjab Kings in the final.
The team will play its home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has been cleared to host fixtures this season. The opening match of IPL 2026 is also scheduled to be played at this venue.
Matches Across 13 Cities
IPL 2026 will be played across 13 venues in India, highlighting the league’s nationwide footprint. The second phase will feature matches in 12 cities, including:
- Mumbai
- Chennai
- Kolkata
- Delhi
- Ahmedabad
- Hyderabad
- Lucknow
- Jaipur
- Dharamsala
- Raipur
- New Chandigarh
Guwahati hosted matches during the first phase but will not be part of the second phase.
Key Fixtures & Match Timings
The second phase will commence on April 13 with a match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad.
The league stage will conclude on May 24, followed by playoffs.
A total of 12 double-header matchdays will be played in IPL 2026, including eight in the second phase. Match timings are:
- Afternoon matches: 3:30 PM IST
- Evening matches: 7:30 PM IST
Team-Wise Venue Distribution
- Punjab Kings will play home matches in New Chandigarh and Dharamsala, with three games scheduled in Dharamsala.
- Rajasthan Royals will host four matches in Jaipur.
- Royal Challengers Bangalore will split home matches between Bengaluru and Raipur.
What Happens Next
With the league schedule now confirmed, the focus will shift to playoff fixtures, including Qualifiers and the Final. The BCCI is expected to announce these details closer to the end of the league stage.
IPL 2026 is set to be one of the most extensive editions of the tournament, featuring a packed schedule, multiple venues, and strong competition among franchises.
