Introduction
Cricket fans, get ready! IPL 2026 is here and this season is more exciting than ever. The Indian Premier League is the biggest and most popular Twenty20 cricket tournament in the whole world. The best cricketers from every country come together to play for 10 teams across India.
This is the 19th edition of IPL officially called TATA IPL 2026. If you want to know everything about IPL 2026 the schedule, teams, live score and how to watch you are in the right place. Lotus 365 brings you every IPL update in one place so visit today and cheer for your favorite team!
IPL 2026 Key Details
- Start Date: 28 March 2026
- End Date: 31 May 2026
- Total Matches: 74
- Number of Teams: 10
- Number of Venues: 13
- Defending Champions: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Afternoon matches start at 3:30 PM IST and evening matches start at 7:30 PM IST
Tournament Format
The league stage lasts from March 28 to May 24. Five teams are in each of the two groupings.
Every team plays 14 matches in total. After the league stage, the top 4 teams move to the playoffs:
- Qualifier 1: Rank 1 vs Rank 2 — Winner goes straight to the Final
- Eliminator: The loser of Rank 3 vs. Rank 4 goes home.
- Qualifier 2: The winner of the Eliminator vs. the loser of Qualifier 1. The winner goes to the Final.
IPL Schedule 2026
The IPL time table 2026 was released in two parts. The first 20 matches were announced on March 11 and the full league stage schedule came out on March 26. Playoff dates will be shared later. Here are some big early matches from the IPL schedule 2026:
| Date | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| 28 March 2026 | RCB vs SRH | 7:30 PM | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| 29 March 2026 | MI vs KKR | 7:30 PM | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 30 March 2026 | CSK vs RR | 7:30 PM | Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati |
| 31 March 2026 | PBKS vs GT | 7:30 PM | HPCA Stadium, Mullanpur |
| 24 May 2026 | League Stage Ends | — | Multiple Venues |
| 31 May 2026 | IPL 2026 Grand Final | TBA | TBA |
IPL Match Today
Do you want to know what teams are playing today? The IPL match today section is updated every single day with full match details including the two teams, the timing, and the venue.
About 30 minutes before the match, you can also check the Playing XI and toss result on Lotus 365 or the official IPL website. This helps you understand the game better before it starts.
Visit Lotus 365 every day to stay up to date.
IPL Teams List 2026
All 10 teams are back for IPL 2026. Here is your full IPL teams list with a short description of each team:
- Mumbai Indians (MI) are the most successful IPL team, having won five titles. Rohit Sharma is their big batting star and always a player to watch.
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Five-time champions and one of the most loved teams in IPL history. MS Dhoni is still playing for CSK and the crowd goes crazy for him.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): The defending champions! RCB was won their first ever IPL title in 2025. Virat Kohli is their biggest star and the whole team is full of confidence this season.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Three-time champions with a very strong squad. Cameron Green, the most expensive player of the auction at 25.2 crore rupees, plays for KKR.
- Delhi Capitals (DC): A young and fast team with lots of energy. Sameer Rizvi has been absolutely on fire in the early matches of this season.
- Rajasthan Royals (RR): Sanju Samson is the captain of this team. Ravi Bishnoi is their top spinner and one of the best young bowlers in India right now.
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): This group loves to score lots of runs. Heinrich Klaasen hits hard for them and has scored 145 runs in just a few games. Punjab Kings (PBKS): The PBKS team played in the 2025 final but lost. This season, they are very motivated and want to win their first IPL title.
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): A solid team that plays their home matches at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. They are working hard to break into the top two this season.
- Gujarat Titans (GT): A well-balanced team that is back with a strong squad. They had a rough year in 2025, but they’re ready to get better this year.
Key Players to Watch in IPL 2026
Star Players
This year’s winners are led by Virat Kohli (RCB) who is also one of the best batsmen in cricket history. Rohit Sharma (MI) has already scored 113 runs in the early matches and is a dangerous opener on any given day. MS Dhoni (CSK) is everyone’s favorite still sharp behind the stumps and capable of finish a match with the bat. The SRH batter Heinrich Klaasen hits hard and has scored 145 runs so far, with an average of 48. Cameron Green from KKR is the most valuable player in the IPL 2026. He is a fantastic all-around player who can bat and bowl.
Emerging Players
Sameer Rizvi (DC) has scored 160 runs in just 2 innings and is one of the most exciting young batsmen this season. Anshul Kamboj (CSK) is a young fast bowler who is taking wickets and making a big impact for Chennai. Vijaykumar Vyshak (PBKS) is bowling well in the powerplay and picking up wickets at a good rate. Ravi Bishnoi (RR) is one of the sharpest young spinners in India and very hard to hit when he gets into rhythm.
IPL Live Score
You do not need a TV to follow the match. Checking the IPL live score is very simple and takes just a few seconds. Lotus 365 App is one of the fastest live score apps and gives you ball by ball updates instantly on your phone. ESPNcricinfo and Madrasbook are great for detailed scorecards and easy to use commentary. If you do not want to download any app, just type “IPL live score” on Google and the live scorecard will appear right on your screen. You can also visit the official IPL app at iplt20.com for live scores, match stats, and team updates.
For live scores, Visit: IPL live score 2026
IPL Live Streaming 2026
Watch on TV
IPL 2026 is shown on the Star Sports Network on television. You can watch it on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, or Star Sports 1 Hindi depending on your cable or satellite package.
Watch Online
JioHotstar and Madrasbook is the official online streaming partner for IPL 2026. You can watch all 74 matches live in HD on your phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV. Here is how to watch on your mobile phone in simple steps:
- Step 1: Download the JioHotstar or Madrasbook app from Google Play or the App Store
- Step 2: Open the app and create a free account or sign in
- Step 3: Pick a subscription plan if required
- Step 4: Search for IPL 2026 and tap on the live match
- Step 5: Sit back and enjoy HD cricket anywhere you want
And do not forget, Lotus 365 is your best companion for following every IPL 2026 match. From live scores to full match previews, Lotus 365 has everything a cricket fan needs in one place!
How to Stay Updated with IPL 2026
Turn on notifications on Lotus 365 or ESPNcricinfo so you get alerts for every wicket and six. Visit the official IPL website for the latest team news and squad updates. Check player form and injury news daily because these things can change the result of any match. Save the IPL time table 2026 on your phone so you never miss a match of your favorite team.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is IPL 2026?
The Indian Premier League will be in its 19th season in 2026. It is a T20 cricket tournament organized by the BCCI with 10 teams playing 74 matches from March 28 to May 31, 2026.
2. What time did the IPL 2026 begin?
The IPL 2026 season began on March 28, 2026. The opening match took place in Bengaluru between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
3. How do I see the live score for the IPL?
Lotus 365, Cricbet99, Tigerexch, ESPNcricinfo, or a Google search of “IPL live score” will all show you the live score of the IPL.
4. Where can I live stream IPL 2026?
You can watch IPL 2026 on Star Sports TV channels. For IPL live streaming online, use the JioHotstar app or website. International fans should check their local cricket broadcasters.
5. How many teams are in IPL 2026?
IPL 2026 has ten teams:
- Mumbai Indians
- Chennai Super Kings
- RCB
- KKR
- Delhi Capitals
- Rajasthan Royals
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Punjab Kings
- Lucknow Super Giants
- Gujarat Titans.
Conclusion
IPL 2026 is already gives fans some amazing cricket moments with big sixes, fast wickets and super close finishes across 13 venues all over India. With 74 total matches in just over two months, there is always an IPL match today for you to enjoy.
Use this guide to follow the IPL schedule 2026, support your team from the IPL teams list, check the IPL live score after every over and watch every match through IPL live streaming without missing a single ball.
And remember for the best IPL 2026 experience Lotus 365 is always there for you. Visit Lotus 365 today and enjoy cricket like never before. The grand final is on May 31 so let the games begin!