IPL 2026 Countdown Begins: Know the scheduling, teams, dates and venues

The wait is over for all the cricket lovers and today on 28th march, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru entering this edition as the reigning champion. For last year’s runner-up, Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer & Co. will enter the battleground with a single-minded focus on capturing PBKS’ maiden title.

Mumbai aims to secure its first trophy since 2020, Chennai Super Kings appear to have reinforced their batting unit to recover from a disappointing bottom-table finish last year.

This year the IPL will be biggest season so far with 84 matches scheduled rather than 74. The 70 league matches of the 2026 edition will be played across 13 venues.

Key highlights of the IPL

Start Date: March 28, 2026
Opening Match: RCB vs SRH
League Format: Round-robin followed by playoffs
Final Phase: Expected in late May 2026
Venues: Matches will be played across major cricket stadiums in India

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