The Ultimate Cricket Tournament - Teams, Schedule, and Exciting Updates
Everything you need to know about IPL 2026
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 marks another exciting chapter in the world's most glamorous cricket tournament. With 10 franchises competing across 74 matches, the season promises thrilling encounters, exceptional performances, and unforgettable moments.
The mega auction conducted before the season brought significant changes to team compositions, introducing fresh talent and strategic acquisitions. Each team has carefully crafted their squad to balance experience with emerging talent, creating a highly competitive environment.
This season features the return of international superstars, the emergence of young Indian talents, and innovative playing strategies. The tournament continues to set benchmarks for T20 cricket globally, attracting millions of fans and maintaining its position as the most-watched cricket league worldwide.
10 franchises competing for the trophy
Home Ground: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Captain: Rohit Sharma
The most successful IPL franchise with 5 titles, Mumbai Indians continue their dominance with a balanced squad featuring experienced players and promising youngsters.
Home Ground: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Captain: MS Dhoni
Known for consistency and strategic gameplay, CSK brings together veteran players and emerging talents for another championship campaign.
Home Ground: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Captain: Shreyas Iyer
With a focus on all-round cricket, KKR has assembled a squad capable of competing at the highest level with both batting and bowling strengths.
Home Ground: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Captain: Virat Kohli
RCB brings together explosive batsmen and skilled bowlers, aiming to finally clinch their maiden IPL title with a competitive squad.
Home Ground: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Captain: Rishabh Pant
Delhi Capitals combines youthful energy with experienced leadership, featuring a well-balanced squad for the 2026 season.
Home Ground: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Captain: Sanju Samson
Known for nurturing young talent, Rajasthan Royals brings an exciting mix of established stars and promising cricketers.
Home Ground: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Captain: Pat Cummins
SRH focuses on bowling excellence and strategic batting, with a squad designed for consistent performance throughout the season.
Home Ground: Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali
Captain: Shikhar Dhawan
Punjab Kings brings together aggressive batsmen and skilled bowlers, aiming for a strong campaign in 2026.
Home Ground: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Captain: Hardik Pandya
The defending champions bring experience and championship mentality, with a squad focused on retaining their title.
Home Ground: ARUN JAITLEY STADIUM, Lucknow
Captain: KL Rahul
Lucknow Super Giants combines emerging talent with strategic acquisitions for a competitive 2026 campaign.
Current standings (Updated regularly)
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai Indians | 14 | 10 | 4 | 20 | +0.45 |
| 2 | Chennai Super Kings | 14 | 9 | 5 | 18 | +0.32 |
| 3 | Gujarat Titans | 14 | 9 | 5 | 18 | +0.28 |
| 4 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 14 | 8 | 6 | 16 | +0.15 |
| 5 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 14 | 7 | 7 | 14 | -0.05 |
| 6 | Delhi Capitals | 14 | 7 | 7 | 14 | -0.12 |
| 7 | Rajasthan Royals | 14 | 6 | 8 | 12 | -0.25 |
| 8 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 14 | 5 | 9 | 10 | -0.35 |
| 9 | Punjab Kings | 14 | 4 | 10 | 8 | -0.42 |
| 10 | Lucknow Super Giants | 14 | 3 | 11 | 6 | -0.55 |
Strategic acquisitions and team compositions
The IPL 2026 Mega Auction was one of the most competitive and strategic auctions in the tournament's history. With a total purse of ₹120 crore per team, franchises made calculated decisions to build balanced squads capable of winning the championship.
The 2026 auction demonstrated clear trends in team-building strategies. Franchises focused on creating balanced squads with strong batting lineups, reliable bowling attacks, and versatile all-rounders. The emphasis on Indian talent reflects the growing depth of domestic cricket, while international acquisitions bring experience and global perspective to the league.
Venues hosting the tournament
Capacity: 33,108
Home Team: Mumbai Indians
One of India's most iconic cricket grounds, hosting numerous international matches and IPL games with electrifying atmosphere.
Capacity: 38,000
Home Team: Chennai Super Kings
Historic venue known for its unique pitch characteristics and passionate cricket-loving crowd.
Capacity: 66,349
Home Team: Kolkata Knight Riders
One of the world's oldest cricket grounds with a rich history and legendary status in Indian cricket.
Capacity: 38,000
Home Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Modern facility known for high-scoring matches and excellent crowd support.
Capacity: 41,820
Home Team: Delhi Capitals
State-of-the-art venue with modern facilities and excellent playing conditions.
Capacity: 30,000
Home Team: Rajasthan Royals
Picturesque venue in the Pink City, known for its unique atmosphere and passionate fans.
Capacity: 39,000
Home Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad
Modern facility with excellent infrastructure and growing cricket culture.
Capacity: 30,000
Home Team: Punjab Kings
Well-maintained venue with good playing conditions and enthusiastic crowd.
Capacity: 130,000
Home Team: Gujarat Titans
World's largest cricket stadium with state-of-the-art facilities and massive crowd capacity.
Capacity: 50,000
Home Team: Lucknow Super Giants
Modern venue in Uttar Pradesh with excellent facilities and growing cricket enthusiasm.
Evolution of the world's most glamorous cricket league
The inaugural IPL season revolutionized cricket with its T20 format, celebrity involvement, and entertainment value. Rajasthan Royals won the first title under Rahul Dravid's captaincy, defeating Mumbai Indians in the final.
The league expanded with new franchises, international participation increased, and IPL became a global phenomenon. Teams like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings established their dominance during this period.
With 8 permanent franchises, the league achieved stability. The introduction of new teams and the mega auction in 2018 brought fresh dynamics to the tournament.
The league expanded to 10 teams with the addition of Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. The 2020 season was held in UAE due to COVID-19, showcasing the league's adaptability. Recent seasons have seen record viewership and global recognition.
Key movements in IPL 2026
Several international cricketers have joined IPL franchises, bringing global experience and raising the league's competitive standard. These acquisitions strengthen team compositions and provide Indian audiences with world-class cricket.
Young Indian cricketers have received significant investment from franchises, recognizing their potential and importance for the league's future. These players represent the next generation of Indian cricket.
Franchises retained key players before the auction, maintaining core team structures and ensuring continuity in leadership and experience.
Several players have made comebacks to IPL after gaps, bringing renewed energy and experience to their respective franchises.