The TATA IPL 2026 season is almost here, and the excitement among cricket fans is at an all-time high. With electrifying stadium atmospheres, nail-biting finishes, and world-class players on display, the Indian Premier League continues to set the gold standard for T20 cricket.
The upcoming season promises two months of non-stop entertainment as 10 competitive teams battle it out for ultimate glory. From the league stage to the playoffs and the grand finale, every match will be a spectacle.
In this blog, you’ll find complete details of IPL 2026, including the full schedule, venues, teams, captains, points table, auction highlights, and where to watch live.
What Happened in IPL 2025: A Quick Recap
The IPL 2025 season will always be remembered as a historic one. After 18 long years, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their maiden IPL trophy.
IPL 2025 Final Highlights
- Finalists: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Date: 3 June 2025
- Result: RCB won by 6 runs
RCB posted 190/9 batting first. Punjab Kings fought hard but finished at 184/7, falling just short. This victory ended RCB’s long title drought and created unforgettable memories for fans.
IPL 2026 Venues & Stadium Capacities
Matches will be played across iconic stadiums in India, ensuring a festive atmosphere in every city.
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | Wankhede Stadium | 33,108 |
| Chennai | M.A. Chidambaram Stadium | 38,000 |
| Kolkata | Eden Gardens | 68,000 |
| Delhi | Arun Jaitley Stadium | 35,200 |
| Bengaluru | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | 32,000 |
| Hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi Int’l Stadium | 40,000 |
| Ahmedabad | Narendra Modi Stadium | 1,32,000 |
| Lucknow | Ekana Stadium | 50,000 |
| Guwahati | Barsapara Stadium | 40,000 |
| Dharamsala | HPCA Stadium | 23,000 |
| New Chandigarh | Mullanpur Stadium | 38,000 |
IPL 2026 Teams & Likely Captains
The team lineup remains unchanged from IPL 2025, though a few captaincy roles have seen updates.
| No. | Team | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chennai Super Kings | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Rajat Patidar |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Pat Cummins |
| 4 | Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson |
| 5 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Ajinkya Rahane (Likely) |
| 6 | Gujarat Titans | Shubman Gill |
| 7 | Punjab Kings | Shreyas Iyer |
| 8 | Delhi Capitals | Axar Patel |
| 9 | Lucknow Super Giants | Rishabh Pant |
| 10 | Mumbai Indians | Hardik Pandya |
TATA IPL 2026 Schedule Overview
The IPL 2026 season begins on 22 March and will run for nearly 60 action-packed days.
Opening Match
- Date: 22 March 2026
- Match: KKR vs RCB
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
This blockbuster clash between two powerhouse franchises will kickstart the season in grand style.
IPL 2026 Match List (League Stage – Highlights)
The league stage includes 74 matches, with double-headers and prime-time clashes scheduled throughout.
Some key fixtures:
- MI vs CSK – The biggest rivalry
- RCB vs KKR – High-voltage encounters
- RR vs CSK – Classic tactical battles
- SRH vs MI – Explosive matchups
Matches are scheduled at 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM IST, ensuring maximum fan engagement.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
The playoffs will feature the top four teams from the league stage.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May | Qualifier 1 | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| 21 May | Eliminator | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| 23 May | Qualifier 2 | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 25 May | Final | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
TATA IPL 2026 Points Table (Initial)
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RCB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | PBKS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | GT | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | MI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | CSK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | SRH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | LSG | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | RR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | DC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | KKR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Each win earns 2 points, while Net Run Rate (NRR) will play a crucial role in tight playoff races.
IPL 2026 Auction Highlights
- Auction Date: 16 December 2025
- Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
- Players Retained: 173 (49 overseas)
- Total Purse Available: ₹237.55 Crore
Key Takeaways
- KKR has the biggest purse (₹64.3 Cr)
- MI has the smallest purse (₹2.75 Cr)
- PBKS retained the most players (21)
- Auction focus: all-rounders, overseas hitters, death-over pacers
Where to Watch TATA IPL 2026 Live?
Fans can enjoy every match live through multiple platforms:
- JioHotstar – Official digital streaming partner
- Star Sports Network – Live TV broadcast in India
- JioTV & Airtel Xstream – Mobile streaming
- IPL Official Website – Live scores & highlights
Matches will be available in HD quality with multi-language commentary.
