Full 2026 fixture list
Every regular-season match by date, venue, start time and broadcast. Updated weekly as the BCCI confirms revised timings.
IPL 2026: schedule, standings, squads and playoff rules.
The full 2026 season at a glance. Updated after every fixture once the official result is confirmed.
IPL 2026 season
Standings →
The complete IPL 2026 reference.
Schedule, standings, venues, squad retention moves, and the rules that govern the league this season. Updated after every fixture.
Live points table
Wins, losses, points, NRR and the playoff cut-off line. Updated after every fixture once the official result is published.
13 venues, 74 matches
Ground-by-ground scoring averages, dew factor, and the toss-call history at each venue since the 2023 season.
League format
How the playoffs work →
Ten teams, 74 league matches, four playoff spots.
The 2026 season is the second under the ten-team format. Each franchise plays 14 league matches - seven at home, seven away - with the top four advancing to the playoffs.
League phase
The league phase runs for just over ten weeks, with each franchise playing 14 matches. Home-and-away splits are not symmetrical - each team plays a selection of opponents twice and the remaining opponents once, with the schedule rotated year on year.
Playoff structure
The top four teams advance. The first- and second-placed teams go straight to Qualifier 1, while the third- and fourth-placed teams play the Eliminator. The winner of Qualifier 1 goes to the final, and the loser gets a second chance through Qualifier 2.
Squad rules
Each franchise can register a maximum of 25 players, with a salary cap of ₹110 crore. A minimum of eight Indian players is mandatory, and at most eight overseas players can be in the playing XI.
Standings
Current IPL 2026 standings.
Updated after every match. NRR is the tiebreaker between teams level on points.
IPL 2026 standings - after Match 27
Updated daily| # | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Challengers | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 16 | +0.812 | W W L W W |
| 2 | Mumbai Indians | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 14 | +0.514 | W W L W L |
| 3 | Rajasthan Royals | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 12 | +0.281 | L W W L W |
| 4 | Gujarat Titans | 11 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 12 | +0.142 | W L W W L |
| 5 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 11 | +0.044 | W L W L W |
| 6 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 10 | -0.121 | L W L W L |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 9 | -0.297 | L L W L W |
| 8 | Punjab Kings | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 8 | -0.412 | W L L L W |
| 9 | Chennai Super Kings | 11 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 7 | -0.541 | L W L L W |
| 10 | Delhi Capitals | 11 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 7 | -0.604 | L L W L L |
Playoff structure
Four teams, three knockout matches, one trophy.
How the post-season works once the league phase closes.
Qualifier 1 (1st vs 2nd)
Top of the table vs second. Winner goes to the final. Loser gets a second chance in Qualifier 2.
Eliminator (3rd vs 4th)
Third vs fourth. Winner advances to Qualifier 2. Loser is eliminated from the tournament.
Qualifier 2 (Loser Q1 vs Winner Eliminator)
The loser of Qualifier 1 plays the winner of the Eliminator for the second spot in the final.
Final
The winner of Qualifier 1 plays the winner of Qualifier 2. The IPL trophy is awarded to the winner.
Squad rules
A 25-player maximum, eight Indian minimums.
How franchises built their squads at the 2026 auction, and the rules that shape the team sheets we read on matchday.
25
Max squad size
Each franchise can register a maximum of 25 players for the season, including overseas signings.
8
Overseas cap
A maximum of eight overseas players in the registered squad, with a maximum of four in any playing XI.
₹110 Cr
Salary cap
The salary cap for the 2026 season. Franchises can spread this across their squad as they see fit, subject to individual player caps.
₹20 Cr
Top player cap
The maximum any single player can be bought for at auction. Used at the 2026 auction by the top-bid franchises.
6
Retained players max
Each franchise could retain up to six players from the previous season's squad. The remaining slots were filled at the 2026 auction.
1
Right to Match (RTM)
One Right to Match card per franchise. Used to match an opposing bid on a previously-released player during the auction.
Key dates
The 2026 calendar at a glance.
Auction date, season start, mid-season window, and the playoff schedule.
2026 IPL calendar
Confirmed dates| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 2025 | Retention window closes |
| Late December 2025 | Released player list published |
| January 2026 | 2026 IPL auction, two-day event |
| Mid-March 2026 | Season opener |
| Early May 2026 | League phase concludes |
| Mid-May 2026 | Playoffs (Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, Final) |
Past season comparison
How 2026 differs from 2025.
The 2026 season introduces a handful of rule changes and format tweaks. Here is a short comparison with the 2025 season.
2026 vs 2025 rule differences
| Rule | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Squad size | 25 max | 25 max (unchanged) |
| Salary cap | ₹110 Cr | ₹110 Cr (unchanged) |
| Impact Player rule | In effect | In effect (unchanged) |
| Overseas players in XI | 4 max | 4 max (unchanged) |
| Right to Match cards | 1 per franchise | 1 per franchise (unchanged) |
| League matches | 74 | 74 (unchanged) |
The 2026 season is largely unchanged from 2025. The auction was the main differentiator, with some franchises opting for major squad rebuilds.
Broadcast and streaming
Where to watch the 2026 season.
The 2026 IPL will be broadcast in India and across most major international markets. The regional broadcaster list is published at the start of the season.
📺
India broadcast
The 2026 IPL is broadcast in India on a major sports network and streamed on the network's companion app. Regional language feeds are available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Malayalam.
🌍
International broadcast
International broadcast deals cover the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The full regional broadcaster list is published on the official IPL website.
📱
Live streaming
Live streaming is available through the broadcast partner's app. Most leading apps also stream a live fantasy-points feed alongside the broadcast.
FAQ
Six common questions about IPL 2026.
When does IPL 2026 start?
The 2026 season opens in mid-March 2026 with the opening fixture, followed by the full league phase over the next ten weeks.
How many matches in IPL 2026?
74 league matches plus four playoff matches - Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the Final - for a total of 78 fixtures across the season.
Which teams are in IPL 2026?
Ten franchises: Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Where can I find live scores?
The IPL publishes ball-by-ball scoring through its official broadcast partners and website. Most leading fantasy apps also stream a live fantasy-points feed alongside the broadcast.
What is the playoff cut-off?
Historically the cut-off has landed around 16-17 points for a top-four finish. The 2025 cut-off was 16 points.
How can I follow IPL 2026 from outside India?
The IPL has broadcast deals in most major markets. The official IPL website publishes the regional broadcaster list at the start of the season.
Past season comparison
How 2026 differs from 2025.
The 2026 season is largely unchanged from 2025. The auction was the main differentiator, with some franchises opting for major squad rebuilds.
2026 vs 2025 rule differences
| Rule | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Squad size | 25 max | 25 max (unchanged) |
| Salary cap | ₹110 Cr | ₹110 Cr (unchanged) |
| Impact Player rule | In effect | In effect (unchanged) |
| Overseas players in XI | 4 max | 4 max (unchanged) |
| Right to Match cards | 1 per franchise | 1 per franchise (unchanged) |
| League matches | 74 | 74 (unchanged) |
Broadcast and streaming
Where to watch the 2026 season.
The 2026 IPL will be broadcast in India and across most major international markets. The regional broadcaster list is published at the start of the season.
📺
India broadcast
The 2026 IPL is broadcast in India on a major sports network and streamed on the network's companion app. Regional language feeds are available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Malayalam.
🌍
International broadcast
International broadcast deals cover the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
📱
Live streaming
Live streaming is available through the broadcast partner's app. Most leading apps also stream a live fantasy-points feed alongside the broadcast.
This week's coverage
All news →
The latest from the IPL 2026 newsroom.
A short feed of the most recent coaching, squad and matchday updates from the desk. Each story is written in full, with sourced facts and a fantasy-angle reading.
The Hundred reads as a lower-budget copy of the IPL - and the franchise names say it out loud.
Hindustan Times cricket writer Amrit Mathur's verdict on a 100-ball format whose franchise names, jerseys and owner profiles all echo the IPL.
Read →England target Justin Langer as Test coach after Andy Flower steps back
Lucknow Super Giants head coach moves to the top of the ECB's shortlist. The IPL role is the open question - and a familiar one.
Read →MI vs CSK: captain pick, differential, and the toss call
Wankhede evening fixture. Captain pick: Suryakumar Yadav. Differential: Ravindra Jadeja. Full fantasy XI below.
Read →Mumbai Indians squad update
Trent Boult returns to the XI. Hardik Pandya retains the captaincy. Likely XI and form watch.
Read →
Past season comparison
How 2026 differs from 2025.
The 2026 season is largely unchanged from 2025. The auction was the main differentiator, with some franchises opting for major squad rebuilds.
2026 vs 2025 rule differences
| Rule | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Squad size | 25 max | 25 max (unchanged) |
| Salary cap | ₹110 Cr | ₹110 Cr (unchanged) |
| Impact Player rule | In effect | In effect (unchanged) |
| Overseas players in XI | 4 max | 4 max (unchanged) |
| Right to Match cards | 1 per franchise | 1 per franchise (unchanged) |
| League matches | 74 | 74 (unchanged) |
Broadcast and streaming
Where to watch the 2026 season.
The 2026 IPL will be broadcast in India and across most major international markets. The regional broadcaster list is published at the start of the season.
📺
India broadcast
The 2026 IPL is broadcast in India on a major sports network and streamed on the network's companion app. Regional language feeds are available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Malayalam.
🌍
International broadcast
International broadcast deals cover the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
📱
Live streaming
Live streaming is available through the broadcast partner's app. Most leading apps also stream a live fantasy-points feed alongside the broadcast.