CricAuction^TM

IPL 2026 Key Facts & Quick Stats

The IPL 2026 schedule was released by BCCI in two phases — the first 20 matches announced on March 11, and the complete league-stage fixture revealed on March 26, 2026. Playoff venues are yet to be confirmed. All league-stage matches begin at either 3:30 PM IST (afternoon) or 7:30 PM IST (evening). Live broadcast is on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar in 12 languages.

IPL 2026 Teams, Captains & Groups

TATA IPL 2026 features all 10 returning franchises split into two strategic groups. Teams play once within their group and twice against the other group — a reversal of the format used in the previous three years.

IPL 2026 Venues — 13 Iconic Stadiums

The IPL 2026 league stage is spread across 13 world-class cricket stadiums across India. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru open and close the tournament at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

IPL 2026 Full Timetable — All 74 Matches

Complete IPL 2026 match schedule with all dates, match-ups, venues and IST timings for the full league stage plus playoffs. Bookmark this page for the most reliable IPL 2026 timetable reference.

⚠️ Schedule subject to change per BCCI. Playoff venues TBA. All times IST. Source: BCCI / iplt20.com

IPL 2026 Playoffs Format — How Teams Qualify

After 70 league-stage matches, the top four teams advance. The IPL 2026 final is scheduled for May 31, 2026 in Bengaluru, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru as the defending champions.

Why TATA IPL 2026 is Special — Key Storylines

• RCB — Defending Champions: After 18 years of waiting, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally won IPL 2025 under Rajat Patidar. Can they defend their maiden title?
• New Format Twist: Teams now face the other group twice and same-group opponents once — creating fresh rivalries and unpredictable results throughout.
• Star Captains: Hardik Pandya (MI), Pat Cummins (SRH), Rishabh Pant (LSG), Shubman Gill (GT), and Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) headline exciting captaincy battles.
• Cameron Green Record: KKR shattered records, paying ₹25.20 crore for the Australian all-rounder — the most expensive overseas buy in IPL auction history.
• Sanju Samson's Big Move: A blockbuster trade saw Samson join CSK while Jadeja headed to RR — reshaping both squads overnight.
• Jofra Archer Returns: The England pacer makes a long-awaited comeback after injury, adding real pace and excitement to the competition.

IPL 2026 Fantasy Cricket Auction — Plan Your League Now

The IPL 2026 timetable is the most important tool for running a successful fantasy cricket auction league. With 74 matches across 65 days, the schedule creates natural draft windows, double-header opportunities, and playoff excitement.

CricAuction.live is India's most trusted platform for hosting digital IPL-style cricket auctions. Whether you're organizing a private league with friends, a corporate event, or a large-scale IPL auction tournament — CricAuction gives you live bidding, squad building, and full auction management.

• Host real-time IPL player auctions online with your group
• Set custom budgets, player pools, and auction rules
• Track team squads and spending live during the auction
• Works perfectly for WhatsApp groups, office leagues, and cricket clubs

IPL 2026 Timetable — Frequently Asked Questions