IPL 2026 Schedule: Full Fixtures, Venues, and Match Timings (March 28 – May 24)

IPL 2026 Schedule

IPL 2026 Tournament Overview

The league stage features all 10 teams playing 14 matches each. Every franchise gets seven home games and seven away fixtures, maintaining competitive balance.

Match timings stick to 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM IST slots, with afternoon games reserved mostly for weekends.

The IPL 2026 fixtures start slowly with four matches in March’s final week. April carries the bulk with 43 games packed into 30 days.

May concludes the league phase with 23 matches before the playoffs begin.

This pacing lets teams establish rhythm early before fixture congestion hits mid-tournament.

Teams face brutal travel schedules during April’s middle phase.

Consider the Gujarat Titans hopping between Ahmedabad, Dharamshala, and Lucknow within four days in mid-May.

Squad rotation becomes crucial when players log 3,000+ kilometers weekly.

Complete IPL 2026 Schedule

The full IPL 2026 time table includes all 70 matches with precise dates and venues. Key rivalries like Mumbai vs Chennai happen twice, once at each venue to maintain home advantage parity.

Venue-Wise Match Distribution

Thirteen cities host matches this season, with Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium getting the most action. The venue breakdown shows how BCCI spreads matches across India’s cricket heartland:

Major Venues:

• Mumbai: 10 matches
• Chennai: 8 matches
• Kolkata: 8 matches
• Ahmedabad: 7 matches
• Bengaluru: 7 matches
• Delhi: 7 matches
• Hyderabad: 7 matches

Secondary Venues:

• Lucknow: 6 matches
• Jaipur: 4 matches
• Guwahati: 3 matches
• New Chandigarh: 3 matches
• Dharamshala: 3 matches
• Raipur: 3 matches

Guwahati’s inclusion brings IPL cricket to India’s northeast for the first time.

The ACA Stadium’s 40,000 capacity hosts Rajasthan Royals matches in late March and early April. Fresh wickets there typically assist pace bowlers early before flattening out.

Dharamshala’s HPCA Stadium sits at 1,320 meters altitude. The thin air makes balls travel further, turning it into a six-hitting paradise.

Slower bowlers struggle here as variations lose effectiveness. Teams packing pace and yorker specialists gain an advantage.

Venue Characteristics That Impact Matches

Understanding IPL 2026 Timings

The 3:30 PM slot creates unique challenges. Captains winning the toss invariably bowl first in day games, banking on easier batting conditions before dew arrives.

Afternoon heat in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Chennai tests fitness levels, with temperatures touching 38-40°C.

Evening 7:30 PM matches offer better batting early on. But dew becomes the tournament’s hidden factor after 9 PM.

Coastal venues like Mumbai and Chennai see heavy moisture settling on outfields.

Bowlers struggle gripping wet balls, often gifting teams batting second a 15-20 run advantage.

The IPL 2026 match schedule cleverly manages double headers. Teams rarely play back-to-back games on consecutive days, getting at least 48 hours between fixtures.

This rest period prevents injury accumulation during the grueling two-month campaign.

Key Matches and Rivalries to Watch

• Opening Weekend Drama

RCB vs SRH on March 28 kicks off with Virat Kohli facing the Sunrisers’ pace attack at Chinnaswamy. The venue’s short boundaries (55-60 meters) favor aggressive batting, but SRH’s death bowling variations could exploit pressure. Mumbai Indians hosting Kolkata the next day continues the traditional opener rivalry.

• Mumbai vs Chennai Showdown

These giants clash twice, on April 23 in Mumbai and May 2 in Chennai. The rivalry transcends cricket into regional pride. Mumbai’s five-time championship legacy battles Chennai’s consistent playoff appearances. Their head-to-head record sits nearly even at 19-18, making every encounter genuinely unpredictable.

Last season, Mumbai chased 206 at Wankhede with Rohit Sharma’s 87 off 48 balls sealing a seven-wicket win. Chennai’s spinners typically dominate at Chepauk, but Mumbai’s experience handling slow tracks makes them dangerous visitors.

• Final Week Playoff Race

May 21-24 features matches that’ll decide playoff spots. Chennai vs Gujarat on May 21, followed by Sunrisers vs RCB on May 22, could eliminate teams or confirm qualifications. The schedule deliberately places competitive teams in late-stage clashes, ensuring tournament excitement stays high through the final week.

Expert Insight: How Venues Shape Team Strategy?

Former India selector Saba Karim notes: “The IPL 2026 venues mix demands versatile bowling attacks. Guwahati’s fresh pitch assists swing early.

Chepauk’s red soil turns from ball one. Dharamshala’s altitude makes cutters ineffective.

Teams carrying four specialist bowlers plus two all-rounders handle this variety better than balanced attacks.”

This observation explains why franchises chase quality all-rounders aggressively.

Players bowling 3-4 overs and batting at numbers 6-7 provide flexibility when rotation becomes necessary.

Washington Sundar’s spin plus lower-order hitting represents exactly what teams need across varying conditions.

Karim adds: “Watch how teams use their bench strength in April’s middle phase.

That’s when travel fatigue hits hardest. Smart rotation keeps primary XI fresh for May’s crucial matches.”

Ticket Booking and Broadcast Information

Tickets go live on BookMyShow and the District app 15-20 days before matches. High-demand games like Mumbai vs Chennai sell out within hours.

Early bookings often provide 15-20% discounts compared to last-minute purchases.

Prices range from ₹500 for general admission at venues like Lucknow to ₹3,000+ for premium seats at Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Corporate boxes cost ₹1.5-2 lakhs for marquee encounters. Student discounts apply for weekday afternoon matches with valid ID.

Star Sports broadcasts all matches across multiple channels. Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, and regional language feeds (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali) cater to diverse audiences.

JioHotstar streams every match live free, offering multi-camera angles and interactive stats.

International viewers access matches through local broadcasters.

The tournament’s consistent timing helps overseas fans establish viewing routines despite time zone differences.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When does IPL 2026 start and end?

The tournament begins March 28, 2026, with RCB vs SRH in Bengaluru. The league stage concludes May 24, 2026, followed by playoffs and the final in early June.

• How many matches will each team play?

Each of the 10 teams plays 14 league matches (7 home, 7 away), totaling 70 games before playoffs begin.

• What are the new venues in IPL 2026?

Guwahati hosts IPL cricket for the first time. Raipur and Dharamshala return as neutral venues, adding geographical diversity to the schedule.

• What time do IPL 2026 matches start?

Matches begin at either 3:30 PM or 7:30 PM IST. Most weekends feature double headers with both time slots, while weekdays stick to evening games.

• Where can I watch IPL 2026 live?

Watch on Star Sports TV channels or stream free on the JioHotstar app. All 70 league matches are available with commentary in multiple languages.

Planning Your IPL 2026 Experience

The IPL 2026 timings and venue spread create multiple opportunities for stadium visits. Weekend warriors can combine cricket with city tourism.

Guwahati matches coincide with pleasant spring weather, perfect for exploring Assam’s tea estates and Brahmaputra river cruises post-match.

Corporate groups booking boxes should target high-profile matches early.

The Mumbai vs Chennai encounter on May 2 and the opening night in Bengaluru attract premium demand.

Booking 30 days ahead secures better pricing and seating options.

For traveling fans, April’s mid-month stretch provides maximum variety.

You can catch matches across four cities within 10 days, experiencing different stadium atmospheres and regional cricket cultures.

The tournament’s 58-day journey promises drama, records, and unforgettable moments across India’s cricket landscape.

More IPL 2026 Guides:

• IPL 2026 Commentators List
• IPL 2026 Teams with Updated Players List After Auction and Lineups
• Most Expensive Uncapped Indian Players in IPL 2026
• Most Expensive Player in IPL 2026
• How To Watch IPL 2026 In Canada
• Best IPL Live Streaming Apps & Platforms 2026
• Indian IPL Player Salary Tax Rules Explained 2026
• IPL Team Owners List with Net Worth in 2026

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