Latest IPL 2026 Schedule & Team Trending Updates

Get IPL 2026 Schedule updates. T20i season schedule, 10-team lineups, new rules, player transfers and jersey reveals, 84-match schedule

A full look at the 2026 Indian Premier League

Cricket fans are buzzing with excitement for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 after India’s spectacular win at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The IPL 2026 Schedule will be played from March 28 to May 31 and it will be the 19th season of the best T20 league of the world. This will be the biggest yet with 10 clubs playing a record high 84 games.

The back-to-back champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are ready to start the season.

New Rules and an Expanded Format

The IPL 2026 schedule consists of a total of 84 matches including 80 league matches and 4 playoff matches. There are two virtual groups of 10 clubs and each team plays 16 league games, two more than before. The format for the playoffs remains unchanged with Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the Grand Finale.

Another rule for IPL 2026 is introduced in fielding. The catch will be counted only if the fielder has the ball completely. This is a change that should help get rid of disputed calls.

Updates on the teams and the venue

Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Lucknow Super Giants will all be in a hot fight in the 2026 season.

The defending champions RCB are yet to know their home ground after the horrific stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in June. The team has erected a plaque in memory of the 11 fans who died and designated special seats for their families. “We will get a definite decision soon on where they will play their home games.

People are still watching the Chennai Super Kings and cricket legend MS Dhoni, aged 44. Fans are eager to know how the iconic former Indian skipper will gel with the team and there are whispers that this might be his last IPL season.

Changes in coaching and player transfers

Players are returning from international duty and preparations are in full flow. We’ve seen some big changes through the off-season:

Rahul Dravid is the new director of cricket for Rajasthan Royals and their ex-head coach Kumar Sangakkara is back in the hot seat.

Player Movements Lockie Ferguson will not be representing the Punjab Kings so that he can focus on his work with England. KKR have strengthened their squad with the additions of Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis.

World Cup Stars: RCB has roped in players who played in the World Cup, in the form of Phil Salt, Romario Shepherd and Jacob Bethell.

New Looks: 2026 Jersey Reveals

Some teams have unveiled their new uniforms for the 19th season:
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): new jersey still has the team’s signature purple background. The shirt has gold detailing on the collar and shoulders, linear geometric patterns and three stars above the crest to mark their previous IPL titles.

Delhi Capitals (DC): The bottom half of their signature red is blended with bright blue zig-zag patterns. Sleeves and collar are dark blue.

The SRH jersey is deep saffron in color with bold black flame patterns and blue accents. It shows how the “Orange Army” thinks.

Release of the phased IPL 2026 schedule

The full schedule of IPL 2026 will be out soon, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said. However, with state assembly elections due in April and May, the board is releasing the fixtures in phases to allow for any date changes and to ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament.