New Delhi: The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin on March 28, 2026, with the final scheduled for May 31, 2026. This season features ten teams, all led by Indian cricketers—a first in IPL history.
The opening match will see defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. In total, 84 matches will be played across 13 cities, although due to assembly elections in Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu, the initial schedule released covers only 20 matches from March 28 to April 12.
The captains for IPL 2026’s ten teams are:
- RCB: Rajat Patidar
- Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya
- Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane
- Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel
- Rajasthan Royals: Riyan Parag
- Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer
- Sunrisers Hyderabad: Ishan Kishan (for initial matches)
- Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant
- Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill
This marks the first time in IPL history that all participating teams are captained by Indian players, reflecting the depth of leadership talent in Indian cricket.
Domestic venues and match details:
Seven of the ten teams have chosen a single home ground, while RCB, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals will use two home venues each. Notably, Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium will host IPL matches for the first time in 13 years, serving as RCB’s second home ground; the last IPL match there was in 2013 between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
New regulations for 2026: On match days, no net practice will be allowed, and teams cannot use opponents’ nets. Even if one team completes its practice early, another team cannot begin immediately. To ensure player safety and logistics, players will only be permitted to travel via official team buses.
The final is expected to take place in Bangalore on May 31, with the first qualifier on May 26, the eliminator on May 27, and the second qualifier on May 29. IPL 2026 continues to expand cricket across India, engaging fans in 13 different cities while promoting fair play and operational efficiency.
