As excitement builds for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), all 84 matches will be shown live on Sky Sports, ensuring fans won’t miss any of the action.
Dates for the 2026 IPL Season
The 19th edition of the IPL is set to take place from March 28 to May 31. Currently, only the dates for the first 20 matches have been announced, as the release of the complete schedule is delayed due to ongoing elections in several Indian states.
The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), will kick off the tournament against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, with the match starting at 3 PM UK time.
Last season, RCB claimed their first IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in the final, preventing their opponents from securing their first trophy in the franchise’s history.
Overview of IPL Teams
The IPL features several teams with a rich history of success, including Chennai Super Kings, who have won titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023, and Mumbai Indians, who have celebrated victories in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Other notable teams include the Gujarat Titans, who won in 2022, and Rajasthan Royals, the 2008 champions. Notably, Royal Challengers Bangalore, the 2025 champions, will be keen to defend their title this season.
England Players in the IPL
A total of thirteen England players have been retained, traded, or signed during the IPL auction, with both Titans and RCB acquiring three each. Notably, Ben Duckett opted out of his contract with Delhi Capitals to focus on securing a place in the England squad. Injuries also impacted participation, as Sam Curran, who was traded from Chennai to Rajasthan, will miss the tournament.
David Payne, a seamer from Gloucestershire, signed with Sunrisers Hyderabad as an injury replacement for Australian Jack Edwards, bringing the number of English players across franchises to twelve.
Among those representing England are Jos Buttler, who aims to bounce back after a disappointing T20 World Cup performance where he averaged just 10.87. His record in IPL, however, is impressive, boasting over 4,000 runs, which includes seven centuries, making him a player to watch.
Emerging Talents in the Tournament
One of the younger stars, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, made headlines when he signed with Rajasthan Royals at the age of just 13. He stunned audiences at 14 by scoring a rapid 101 off 38 balls, marking the second-fastest century in IPL history. His potential seems limitless, highlighted by his recent performance of 175 runs in an Under-19 Men’s World Cup final against England.
Star Players to Watch
Virat Kohli remains a pivotal figure for RCB, yet the squad features a plethora of stars. Players like Sanju Samson, who transferred from Rajasthan to Chennai, and Jasprit Bumrah illustrate the tremendous talent pool in the league. How will these players fare following their T20 World Cup campaigns?
New Zealand’s Finn Allen and Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, further amplify the level of competition.
Competition Format
The league operates with a point system where franchises earn 2 points for a win, 0 for a loss, and 1 for no result. At the end of the league stage, the top four teams proceed to the playoffs. Teams are often divided into two virtual groups; however, full scheduling details remain pending.
Upcoming Fixtures for 2026
The first half of the IPL schedule has been released, with fixtures up until May 12. All matches are set to commence at 3 PM UK time:
- March 28: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2 PM)
- March 29: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders
- March 30: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings
- March 31: Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans
- April 1: Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals
- April 2: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
- April 3: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings
- April 4: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians (11 AM)
- April 4: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals
- April 5: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants (11 AM)
- April 5: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings
- April 6: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings
- April 7: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians
- April 8: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans
- April 9: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants
- April 10: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
- April 11: Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (11 AM)
- April 11: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals
- April 12: Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans (11 AM)
- April 12: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
