The Indian Premier League 2026 season is all set to begin on March 28, 2026, with a big opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. If you want to watch the matches live from stadium or from home, here is everything you need to know.
Cricket fans have been waiting for this moment. The excitement is already building up, and tickets are expected to sell out fast. This year’s IPL is going to be the biggest one yet with 84 matches in total. So let me explain all the details in simple words.
IPL 2026 Opening Match Details
The opening match of IPL 2026 is going to be a cracker. RCB and SRH have both built strong teams over the years, and their fans are some of the most passionate in the country.
- Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Date: March 28, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
This stadium is known for its small ground and big atmosphere. When RCB plays at home, the crowd goes crazy. If you are planning to go, you need to act fast because this match will sell out quickly.
IPL 2026 Phase 1 Schedule (Match 1 to 20)
The BCCI has released the first phase of the schedule. Due to upcoming assembly elections in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, the full schedule is being released in phases. But here are the first 20 matches confirmed for you.
Match 1 to 10
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
| Mar 28 | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| Mar 29 | MI vs KKR | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Mar 30 | RR vs CSK | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| Mar 31 | PBKS vs GT | New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 01 | LSG vs DC | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 02 | KKR vs SRH | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 03 | CSK vs PBKS | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 04 | DC vs MI | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| Apr 04 | GT vs RR | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 05 | SRH vs LSG | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
Match 11 to 20
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
| Apr 05 | RCB vs CSK | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 06 | KKR vs PBKS | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 07 | RR vs MI | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 08 | DC vs GT | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 09 | KKR vs LSG | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 10 | RR vs RCB | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 11 | PBKS vs SRH | New Chandigarh | 3:30 PM |
| Apr 11 | CSK vs DC | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| Apr 12 | LSG vs GT | Lucknow | 3:30 PM |
| Apr 12 | MI vs RCB | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
Key Highlights from the Schedule
There are some interesting things to note in this year’s schedule.
New Home Venues
- Rajasthan Royals will play their home matches in Guwahati this season
- Punjab Kings will play in New Chandigarh as their home base
First Double Header
- April 4, 2026 will see two matches
- Afternoon match: DC vs MI in Delhi at 3:30 PM
- Evening match: GT vs RR in Ahmedabad at 7:30 PM
Big Matches to Watch
- April 5: RCB vs CSK in Bengaluru (evening match) – this is always a crowd puller
- April 12: MI vs RCB in Mumbai (evening match) – another blockbuster
When is the Final Match
The IPL 2026 final will be played on May 31, 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This is the same venue where the opening match happens, so Bengaluru fans are lucky to host both the first and last match of the season.
Playoff Schedule
The playoff window begins from May 26, 2026.
- Qualifier 1: Bengaluru
- Eliminator: Likely Ahmedabad (official confirmation pending)
- Qualifier 2: Likely Raipur (official confirmation pending)
- Final: May 31, Bengaluru
The BCCI is still confirming the exact venues for Eliminator and Qualifier 2, but Ahmedabad and Raipur are strong contenders.
Total Matches and Tournament Format
This is going to be the biggest IPL season ever. 84 matches in total – 80 league matches and 4 playoff matches.
The format is simple. All 10 teams will play every other team twice. That means home match and away match against each opponent. So every team plays 14 league matches before the playoffs.
Match timings are:
- Afternoon matches: 3:30 PM IST
- Evening matches: 7:30 PM IST
Phase 2 Schedule and Other Venues
The remaining league matches and playoff schedule will be announced in the coming days. The BCCI is waiting for the official election timeline to be clear before releasing the full schedule.
But here is what we know about Phase 2 venues:
- Raipur is expected to host two matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Dharamshala is expected to host three matches for Punjab Kings
- Jaipur is expected to host four matches for Rajasthan Royals
So even if your city is not in Phase 1, there is still a good chance that matches will come to your place in Phase 2.
How to Buy IPL 2026 Tickets
Tickets for IPL matches are released in phases. Some tickets come out weeks before the match, and some are released closer to the date. But the general rule is simple – book early or you will miss out.
Online Ticket Booking Platforms
You can book tickets online through official partners. Different teams have different partners, so you need to know which one to use.
BookMyShow is the ticket partner for teams like Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Lucknow Super Giants. If you are booking for these teams, this is where you go.
District by Zomato handles tickets for Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings. CSK fans especially should keep an eye on this app.
Official Team Websites are also used by some teams. RCB, for example, sometimes sells tickets directly through their own website. It is good to check both the team website and the main ticket platforms.
Offline Ticket Booking
If you are not comfortable with online booking or just want to try your luck, you can also buy tickets offline.
- Stadium box offices open a few days before the match
- Authorized retail outlets in the host city also sell tickets
- You will need to carry ID proof like Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport
But honestly, offline booking is becoming less common. Most tickets are sold online now, and the offline counters mostly have limited tickets.
IPL 2026 Ticket Prices (Expected)
Ticket prices depend on which match you are going to, which stadium, and which seat you want. Here is a rough idea of what you can expect to pay.
General Stands / Basic Seating
- Price range: ₹450 to ₹1,200
- These are the cheapest seats but still give you a good view
Mid-Range and Premium Seats
- Price range: ₹1,500 to ₹8,500
- Better view, more comfortable seating
VIP, Hospitality, and Corporate Boxes
- Price range: ₹10,000 to ₹40,000 and above
- These come with food, drinks, and the best views in the stadium
Important thing to remember – for big matches like RCB vs CSK, the opening match, or the finals, prices go up. Also, stadiums like Chinnaswamy in Bengaluru and Wankhede in Mumbai are more expensive than smaller venues. So if you are booking for a high-demand match, expect to pay on the higher side.
Where to Watch IPL 2026 Live on TV
If you cannot make it to the stadium, don’t worry. You can watch every match live on TV.
Star Sports is the official TV broadcaster for IPL 2026. They show matches on multiple channels so you can watch in your preferred language.
- English commentary on some channels
- Hindi commentary for the largest audience
- Tamil commentary for fans in Tamil Nadu
- Telugu commentary for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
- Kannada commentary for Karnataka
So no matter where you are from, you can enjoy the match in your own language.
Online Streaming in India
If you prefer watching on your phone, laptop, or tablet, you can stream all matches online.
JioHotstar is the official streaming platform for IPL 2026. You can watch every match live on this app.
But there is one important change this year. Free streaming is no longer available. Earlier, some platforms offered free IPL streaming, but that is gone now. To watch online, you need:
- A paid subscription to JioHotstar, OR
- A bundled plan from telecom companies like Jio, Airtel, or Vi that includes Hotstar access
So if you are planning to watch on mobile, check your telecom plan first or get ready to subscribe.
Why Tickets Sell Out So Fast
IPL ticket demand is crazy every year, and 2026 will be no different. Here is why tickets disappear within minutes.
- Stadiums have limited seats, but millions of fans want to watch
- Teams like RCB, CSK, and MI have huge fan bases
- Weekend matches and evening matches are more popular
- Opening match always has extra hype
Because of this, tickets for big matches sell out in hours, sometimes even minutes. If you are serious about going, you need to be ready the moment tickets go on sale.
Tips for Booking IPL Tickets
From my experience of booking tickets for multiple seasons, here are some tips that will help you.
- Book as soon as tickets are released. Do not wait for “better seats” later.
- Keep both BookMyShow and District by Zomato apps ready on your phone.
- Use UPI or cards for fast payment. Net banking can be slow.
- Do not buy from third-party resellers or scalpers. Tickets sold outside stadiums are often fake.
- If you don’t get tickets in the first release, keep checking. More tickets are sometimes released later.
Stadium Experience vs Watching at Home
Both options have their good and bad sides. Let me tell you honestly.
Watching in Stadium
- You feel the real atmosphere and crowd energy
- Cheering with thousands of fans is an experience you cannot get anywhere else
- But tickets are expensive, travel takes time, and parking can be a problem
Watching Online
- You can watch from your home comfortably
- Multiple camera angles and expert commentary
- But you miss the stadium vibe and live excitement
So if you have the money and time, stadium is worth it at least once. But if you want convenience, online streaming is perfect.
Conclusion
IPL 2026 is starting on March 28 with a big match between RCB and SRH at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The first 20 matches are already announced, with some interesting new home venues like Guwahati for Rajasthan Royals and New Chandigarh for Punjab Kings.
The final will be played on May 31 at the same stadium in Bengaluru. In between, there will be 84 matches of non-stop cricket action.
Tickets will be in high demand, so early booking is the only way to make sure you don’t miss out. Prices range from around ₹450 for basic seats to over ₹40,000 for VIP boxes. You can book online through BookMyShow or District by Zomato, depending on which team’s match you want.
If you cannot go to the stadium, watch on Star Sports TV or stream on JioHotstar. Just remember that free streaming is gone, so you need a paid plan.
Phase 2 schedule is coming soon, with more matches in Raipur, Dharamshala, and Jaipur. So keep watching for updates.
Whichever way you choose, get ready for two months of non-stop cricket, excitement, and entertainment. IPL season is here, and it’s going to be huge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the IPL 2026 opening match?
A: The opening match is on March 28, 2026, between RCB and SRH at 7:30 PM IST at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Q: When is the IPL 2026 final?
A: The final will be played on May 31, 2026 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
Q: How many matches will be played in IPL 2026?
A: Total 84 matches – 80 league matches and 4 playoff matches.
Q: Where can I buy IPL 2026 tickets online?
A: You can buy tickets on BookMyShow for most teams, and on District by Zomato for teams like RR and CSK. Some teams also sell on their official websites.
Q: What are the ticket prices for IPL 2026?
A: Prices range from ₹450 for general stands to over ₹40,000 for VIP boxes. High-demand matches cost more.
Q: Which TV channel will show IPL 2026?
A: Star Sports channels will broadcast all matches in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.
Q: Where can I watch IPL 2026 online?
A: You can stream all matches on JioHotstar. Free streaming is not available this year – you need a paid subscription.
Q: Why is the schedule released in phases?
A: Due to upcoming assembly elections in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, the BCCI is releasing the schedule in phases.
Q: Which teams are playing at new venues?
A: Rajasthan Royals will play in Guwahati, and Punjab Kings will play in New Chandigarh this season.
Q: What are the match timings?
A: Afternoon matches start at 3:30 PM IST, and evening matches start at 7:30 PM IST.
Q: When will Phase 2 schedule be announced?
A: The remaining schedule is expected in the coming days after the official election timeline is clear.