BCCI Releases Complete IPL 2026 League Stage Schedule, Action from April 13 in 12 Cities

50 Matches in 12 Cities

Action picks up again on April 13, 2026 when Sunrisers Hyderabad will face Rajasthan Royals at Hyderabad. After this first match, the remaining 50 matches of the league stage will be held between April 13 and May 24, 2026 in 12 cities of India.

Following the first phase of the tournament, matches will be held in the cities of Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dharamshala, Raipur and New Chandigarh. 

Double Headers on 12 Days

On days when one match will be played, it will be held at 7:30 pm IST, whereas on days with two games, the first one or the afternoon fixture will be at 3:30 pm IST.
There will be a total of 12 days that will have double headers i.e. two games on the same day. According to a statement issued by the BCCI , the venues and dates for the playoffs and the final will only be revealed later.

Fresh Format: Once in Group, Twice vs Rivals

Teams have been divided into two groups depending on how many titles they have won. So, Group A consists of: CSK (5), Kolkata Knight Riders (3), Rajasthan Royals (1), RCB (1) and Punjab Kings whereas Group B consists of: MI (5), Sunrisers Hyderabad (1), Gujarat Titans (1), Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants.
Usually, in the past three years teams belonging to the same group played each other twice and once against teams of the opposite group. This year IPL has changed that format by having teams of the same group playing each other once and twice against teams of the opposite group.