The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the complete schedule for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The tournament will kick off on March 22, 2026, with a blockbuster opening match between defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Full Schedule Details
The 17th edition of the IPL will feature 74 matches across 56 days, with 10 teams competing for the coveted trophy. The league stage will consist of 70 matches, followed by the playoffs and the final on May 28, 2026.
Key Highlights:
- Opening Match: CSK vs RCB - March 22, Chennai
- 74 matches across 13 venues
- Double-header matches on weekends
- Playoffs start from May 24, 2026
- Final on May 28, 2026 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Venues for IPL 2026
The tournament will be played across 13 venues including Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mohali, Dharamsala, Guwahati, and Cuttack.
"We're excited to bring IPL back to its full home-and-away format. Fans can expect thrilling cricket action across the country." - BCCI Secretary
Playoff Schedule
The playoff stage will begin with Qualifier 1 on May 24, followed by Eliminator on May 25, Qualifier 2 on May 27, and the Grand Finale on May 28, 2026.
