IPL 2026 Schedule: Time Table, Teams, Match List, Fixtures

Cricket fans, get ready for another season of high-voltage action! This IPL would be special for a lot of reasons. With the tournament set to begin on March 22nd, the stage is all set for another thrilling summer of cricket.

This year’s edition follows a dramatic last season, where RCB finally lifted their maiden title, ending an 18-year-long wait. From high-scoring matches to mid-season twists due to geopolitical tensions, last season had everything. A total of 74 matches will be played across iconic stadiums, featuring star players, new captains, and fierce rivalries.

Whether you’re cheering for CSK at Chepauk or watching a nail-biter at Eden Gardens, this season is sure to deliver unforgettable moments.

The wait for the much-anticipated TATA IPL 2026 schedule is finally over. We provides a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about it.

Reliving IPL 2025

Before diving into the TATA IPL 2026 Schedule, let’s take a look back at one of the most dramatic seasons in IPL history. The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League had it all: high scores, last-over thrillers, and even a mid-season suspension due to the India–Pakistan crisis.

The tournament kicked off on 22 March, with KKR hosting RCB at Eden Gardens. But in a surprising turn of events, the defending champions KKR couldn’t even make it past the league stage. In contrast, RCB finally broke their 18-year curse, winning their maiden IPL title in a nerve-wracking final against Punjab Kings, clinched by just 6 runs.

Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans lit up the tournament with the bat, scoring a phenomenal 759 runs, while his teammate Prasidh Krishna dominated with the ball, bagging 25 wickets.

The season saw a unique shift in dynamics, a mid-season pause after 9 May due to geopolitical tensions, and a comeback on 17 May with matches relocated to six different venues. Despite the challenges, the energy remained unmatched. Fans witnessed tight finishes, powerful performances, and emerging stars, making TATA IPL 2026 a true rollercoaster.

IPL 2026 Schedule 

The curtain has fallen on the IPL 2025 season, and excitement is already building for the next edition. 

Whether you’re planning your travel to the stadiums or setting reminders for your favorite team’s clashes, this breakdown has got you covered.

From power-packed weekend double-headers to intense weekday rivalries, the IPL 2026 promises a well-balanced mix of entertainment and competition.

The IPL traditionally occurs during the Indian summer (late March to May).

Here are the details about the tentative TATA IPL 2026 match list:

March & April Month Schedule

Here are the details of the group stage matches which will be played in March and April:

DateMatchVenueTime (IST)
22nd MarchKKR vs RCBKolkata7:30 PM
23rd MarchSRH vs RRHyderabad3:30 PM
23rd MarchMI vs CSKChennai;7:30 PM
24th MarchDC vs LSGVizag7:30 PM
25th MarchGT vs PBKSAhmedabad7:30 PM
26th MarchRR vs KKRGuwahati7:30 PM
27th MarchSRH vs LSGHyderabad7:30 PM
28th MarchRCB vs CSKChennai7:30 PM
29th MarchGT vs MIAhmedabad7:30 PM
30th MarchDC vs SRHVizag3:30 PM
30th MarchRR vs CSKGuwahati7:30 PM
31st MarchMI vs KKRMumbai7:30 PM
1st AprilLSG vs PBKSLucknow7:30 PM
2nd AprilRCB vs GTBengaluru7:30 PM
03rd AprilKKR vs SRHVizag7:30 PM
04th AprilLSG vs MILucknow7:30 PM
05th AprilCSK vs DCChennai3:30 PM
05th AprilPBKS vs RRNew Chandigarh7:30 PM
06th AprilKKR vs LSGKolkata3:30 PM
06th AprilSRH vs GTHyderabad7:30 PM
07th AprilMI vs RCBMumbai7:30 PM
08th AprilPBKS vs CSKNew Chandigarh7:30 PM
9th AprilGT vs RRAhmedabad7:30 PM
10th AprilRCB vs DCBengaluru7:30 PM
11th AprilCSK vs KKRChennai7:30 PM
12th AprilLSG vs GTLucknow3:30 PM
12th AprilSRH vs PBKSHyderabad7:30 PM
13th AprilRR vs RCBJaipur3:30 PM
13th AprilDC vs MIDelhi7:30 PM
14th AprilLSG vs CSKLucknow7:30 PM
15th AprilPBKS vs KKRNew Chandigarh7:30 PM
16th AprilDC vs RRDelhi7:30 PM
17th AprilMI vs SRHMumbai7:30 PM
18th AprilRR vs PBKSBengaluru7:30 PM
19th AprilGT vs DCAhmedabad3:30 PM
19th AprilRR vs LSGJaipur7:30 PM
20th AprilPBKS vs RCBNew Chandigarh3:30 PM
20th AprilMI vs CSKMumbai7:30 PM
21st AprilKKR vs GTKolkata7:30 PM
22nd AprilLSG vs DCLucknow7:30 PM
23rd AprilSRH vs MIHyderabad7:30 PM
24th AprilRCB vs RRBengaluru7:30 PM
25th AprilCSK vs SRHChennai7:30 PM
26th AprilKKR vs PBKSKolkata7:30 PM
27th AprilMI vs LSGMumbai3:30 PM
27th AprilDC vs RCBDelhi7:30 PM
28th AprilRR vs GTJaipur7:30 PM
29th AprilDC vs KKRDelhi7:30 PM
30th AprilCSK vs PBKSChennai7:30 PM

May Month Schedule

Here are the details of the group stage matches which will be played in May:

1st MayRR vs MIJaipur7:30 PM
2nd MayGT vs SRHAhmedabad7:30 PM
3rd MayRR vs CSKBengaluru7:30 PM
4th MayKKR vs RRKolkata3:30 PM
4th MayPBKS vs CSKDharamsala7:30 PM
5th MaySRH vs DCHyderabad7:30 PM
6th MayMI vs GTMumbai7:30 PM
7th MayKKR vs CSKKolkata7:30 PM
8th MayPBKS vs DCDharamsala7:30 PM

IPL 2026 Playoffs

Once the group stage games finish, the playoffs of the 2026 season will begin.

Here’s how it will be played:

29 MayQualifier 1 – 1st Position Team on League Stage vs 2nd Position Team of League StageTBC7:30 PM
30 MayEliminator – Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2TBC7:30 PM
01JuneQualifier 2 – Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of EliminatorTBC7:30 PM
03 JuneFinal – Winner of Qualifier 2 vs Winner of Qualifier 1TBC7:30 PM

Note: The above schedule time table or match list has been announced by the BCCI.

IPL 2026 Auction, Player Retention Rules and Salary Structure

The excitement for IPL 2026 doesn’t stop there. It is preparing for its next season, with significant changes to player retention rules. These new rules will impact how franchises build their teams and manage their budgets.

It’s especially exciting to see how Chennai Super Kings will approach this year’s auction, with plenty of speculation about whether legendary players like MS Dhoni will participate. Let’s explore the latest updates and their implications for the franchises.

Salary Slab for Retained Players Before IPL 2026 Auction

One of the significant changes in the retention rules is the introduction of a new salary slab for retained players. Teams can now retain 5 capped players (Indian or overseas) along with 1 uncapped player, meaning each team can retain a total of 6 players.

However, franchises can only retain two uncapped players in total, and the salary of an uncapped retained player is Rs 4 crore.

The retained players’ salaries will be deducted from the overall purse of Rs 120 crore, meaning if a franchise retains more players, their auction budget will be reduced accordingly.

Here is the salary slab for retained players under the updated rules:

Direct Retention Salary Structure:

Retained PlayerAmount
Retained Player 1INR 18 crore
Retained Player 2INR 14 crore
Retained Player 3INR 11 crore
Retained Player 4INR 18 crore
Retained Player 5INR 14 crore

Uncapped Player Salary Structure:

  • Uncapped Retained Player: INR 4 crore

This new retention framework allows franchises to secure their core players while ensuring a competitive auction pool. With an increased auction purse and new retention caps, the IPL 2026 auction promises to be a pivotal moment for teams looking to rebuild or strengthen their squads.

IPL 2026 Teams and Captains

Below is the list of the teams and captains participating in the IPL Schedule 2026.

SR NoIPL TeamIPL Team Captain
1Chennai Super Kings (CSK)R Gaikwad
2Mumbai IndiansHardik Pandya
3Rajasthan RoyalsSanju Samson
4Kolkata Knight RidersAjinkya Rahane (Likely)
5Punjab KingsShreyas Iyer
6Sunrisers HyderabadPat Cummins
7Delhi CapitalsAxar Patel
8Royal Challengers BangaloreRajat Patidar
9Lucknow Super GiantsRishabh Pant
10Gujarat TitansShubman Gill

IPL 2026 Venues

CityStadiumHome Team
MumbaiWankhede StadiumMumbai Indians (MI)
ChennaiM.A. Chidambaram StadiumChennai Super Kings (CSK)
KolkataEden GardensKolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
DelhiArun Jaitley StadiumDelhi Capitals (DC)
BengaluruM. Chinnaswamy StadiumRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
HyderabadRajiv Gandhi International StadiumSunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
AhmedabadNarendra Modi StadiumGujarat Titans
JaipurSawai Mansingh StadiumRajasthan Royals (RR)
MohaliPCA StadiumPunjab Kings (PBKS)
LucknowEkana Cricket StadiumLucknow Super Giants (LSG)

IPL 2026 Fixtures

TATA IPL 2026 Schedule PDF Download

If you’re someone who likes to keep things handy and stay updated without checking the internet every time, downloading the whole schedule in PDF format is your best bet.

With just a single click, you can save the entire fixture, featuring all 74 matches, including match dates, venues, and IST timings, right to your device.

Click here to get the full Schedule PDF download version to have it offline.

Download PDF

So, mark your calendars for the opening match on March 22nd, which is expected to be held at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.  It features 74 enthralling matches, culminating in the grand finale on May 25th.

Be sure to stay tuned for the official time table announcement from the BCCI.

IPL 2026: FAQs

Q1: When will the first match of IPL 2026 be played?

A: The first match is to be played on March 22nd.

Q2: How many matches are there in the Indian Premier League 2026 Schedule?

A: 74 matches this season.

Q3: Where will the IPL 2026 final be held?

A: The venue for the final is yet to be confirmed by the BCCI, but the match will most likely be played in Ahmedabad.

Q4: Will MS Dhoni play IPL 2026?

A: As of now, neither MS Dhoni nor CSK management has clarified anything yet.