Sky Sports is set to broadcast all 84 matches of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) live. The tournament will run from March 28 to May 31.
Opening Match and Defending Champions
The opening game will feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match is scheduled for Saturday at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, with a 2pm start UK and Ireland time. RCB secured their first IPL title last season, defeating Punjab Kings in the final.
Tournament Format
Teams are divided into two virtual groups of five, though there is a single table. Each team will play the other four franchises in their group once. They will also play the five teams in the other group twice, resulting in a total of 14 group games.
Franchises receive two points for a win, none for a loss, and one point for no result. The top four teams from the league stage will advance to the play-offs.
The teams finishing first and second will compete in the first qualifier. The winner progresses directly to the final, while the loser enters the second qualifier.
An eliminator match will be held between the teams finishing third and fourth. The winner advances to the second qualifier, and the loser is eliminated.
The winner of the eliminator and the loser of the first qualifier will then compete in the second qualifier. The winner of that match secures the second spot in the final.
English Players in the IPL
Thirteen England players were initially retained, traded, or signed in the auction, with Titans and RCB having three each. Ben Duckett withdrew from his deal with Delhi Capitals to focus on retaining his England place. Sam Curran will miss the tournament due to an injury.
David Payne has been signed by Sunrisers as an injury replacement. There are currently 12 English players across the 10 franchises.
- Jos Buttler is retained.
- Tom Banton and Luke Wood have joined him.
- RCB kept Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell.
- Jordan Cox was purchased by the 2025 champions.
All 84 matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.