The IPL 2026 season is set to commence on March 28 and run until May 31, offering an exhilarating T20 cricket experience. This year marks the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League, featuring a robust lineup of international and domestic cricket stars. Fans can expect high-stakes matches broadcasted live across India.
How to Watch IPL 2026 Live Telecast and Streaming in India
Cricket enthusiasts will have various options to catch the action. All matches will be available for live streaming and telecast:
- Live streaming on the JioHotstar app and website.
- Televised matches on the Star Sports Network, including:
- Star Sports 1 (English)
- Star Sports 1 Hindi
- Star Sports 1 Tamil
- Star Sports 1 Telugu
- Star Sports 1 Kannada
IPL 2026 Format and Team Breakdown
This season will feature ten teams competing in a total of 74 matches. The teams are divided into two groups:
Group A
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Group B
- Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
In a shift from previous formats, each team will now play opponents in their group once and face teams from the opposite group twice. This ensures that fan favorites like CSK and MI meet twice in the season.
Playoff Structure
Following the league matches, the top two teams will advance to Qualifier 1. The victor will secure a spot in the final. Teams finishing third and fourth will compete in Eliminator 1, with the winner proceeding to Qualifier 2 against the loser of Qualifier 1.
Champions and Legacy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter IPL 2026 as the defending champions. Meanwhile, both Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians hold the record for the most titles, with five each. This season promises to be another thrilling chapter in IPL history.
