IPL 2026 Set to Begin on March 28 with RCB vs SRH Clash

New Delhi, March 2026 : The 19th season of the Indian Premier League is all set to begin on March 28, promising nearly two months of high-intensity cricket action. The opening match will see defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The tournament will run until May 31, featuring a packed schedule across multiple venues in India. Most matches will be held in the evening, starting at 7:30 PM, with the toss scheduled for 7:00 PM. On double-header days, afternoon matches will begin at 3:30 PM. A total of 12 days in the season will feature two matches each, adding to the excitement for fans.

Each of the ten participating teams will play 14 matches during the league stage. At the end of this phase, the top four teams will qualify for the playoffs. The tournament will follow the established playoff format, including Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final, ensuring a competitive race to the championship.

Matches will be hosted across 12 major cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dharamsala, Raipur, and New Chandigarh. This wide distribution of venues is expected to bring the action closer to fans across the country.

The teams competing this season include 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.

Fans in India can watch the live telecast of all matches on Star Sports channels. For digital viewers, live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar website and mobile application.

To enhance the viewing experience, matches will be broadcast in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, along with additional regional feeds such as Bengali, Bhojpuri, and Haryanvi. Mobile users will also have access to a vertical live feed option in English and Hindi.

Viewers can further enjoy advanced features like a 360-degree viewing option and multi-camera angles, allowing them to customise their match experience.

With top teams, star players, and a packed schedule, IPL 2026 is set to deliver another thrilling season of cricket entertainment for fans across the globe.