IPL 2026 starts today March 28 with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru at 7:30 PM IST.
The season opener marks the return of top-level cricket to the Chinnaswamy after the tragic stampede during RCB’s 2025 victory parade that saw 11 fans lose their lives. Structural modifications and improved crowd management measures have been put in place ahead of the new season.
The league stage runs until May 24 across 74 matches and 12 venues. Here is everything you need to know about how to watch every game wherever you are in the world.
IPL 2026: Broadcast and Live Streaming details
Where to watch in India
All 74 IPL 2026 matches will be televised across India on the Star Sports network covering the tournament in 12 languages including English. Live streaming of every game is available on the JioHotstar app and website.
Where to watch in the UK
Fans in the UK can watch live IPL 2026 action on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. Live streaming is available on Sky Go for Sky customers. Non-Sky customers can access all 74 matches through NOW TV.
Where to watch in the USA and Canada
IPL 2026 is available in the USA and Canada on Willow TV. The Willow TV app provides live streaming of all matches and can also be accessed through Fubo and Sling TV.
Where to watch in Australia
Australian fans can watch IPL 2026 on Fox Cricket on television. Foxtel will stream all matches ad-free. Live streaming is also available on Kayo Sports.
Where to watch in South Africa
IPL 2026 is available on SuperSport in South Africa. SS Cricket on channel 212 will televise the season opener between RCB and SRH.
Where to watch in Afghanistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka
Fans in Afghanistan can watch live IPL 2026 action on the Ariana Radio and Television Network. In New Zealand all 74 matches are available on Sky Sports NZ. Sri Lankan fans can live stream all IPL 2026 action on ThePapare.com.
IPL 2026: Match timings and the opening week
All evening matches start at 7:30 PM IST which is 2:00 PM GMT. Afternoon matches on double-header days start at 3:30 PM IST which is 10:00 AM GMT. The first match today is RCB vs SRH in Bengaluru at 7:30 PM IST.
The second game of the tournament is MI vs KKR at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29. CSK begin their campaign against RR in Guwahati on March 30. PBKS face GT on March 31 and LSG take on DC on April 1 to complete the opening set of fixtures.
RCB will be without Josh Hazlewood for the opener as he awaits clearance from Cricket Australia. Yash Dayal is also unavailable this season. The Chinnaswamy is confirmed for the league stage with a decision on playoffs and the final to be announced at a later date. Raipur has been added as a new venue this season hosting two of RCB’s seven home games. Delhi Capitals play their entire home leg in Delhi unlike previous editions where they shared duties with Visakhapatnam.
The full 70-match league stage schedule is available at iplt20.com. Playoff details will be confirmed separately once the BCCI makes a decision on venues.
