When to watch the IPL 2026
- The 2026 Indian Premier League season runs from Saturday, March 28, until Sunday, May 31.
Where to watch the IPL 2026
- Indian Premier League matches will air in the US on Willow TV.
The 19th edition of the world’s richest cricket tournament gets underway this weekend, with Virat Kohli’s defending champs Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening game of the new Indian Premier League season on Saturday.
Among the big talking points in the run-up to the new campaign is Kolkata Knight Riders’ heavy investment in Cameron Green. The Australian all-rounder became the most expensive overseas signing in IPL history after being bought for $2.7 million by KKR in the 2026 auction. Chennai Super Kings will meanwhile be hoping for a huge improvement after their worst-ever season in 2025, with Ruturaj Gaikwad taking over as captain from MS Dhoni.
The 2026 edition of the IPL also looks set to herald the arrival of a new cricketing superstar, with 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi widely tipped to shine for Rajasthan Royals.
Elsewhere, the new term brings a slight format change, with a modified group stage where teams now play opponents from their own group once and the opposite group twice.
The 2026 Indian Premier League season starts on Saturday, March 28, with the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and ends with the final on Sunday, May 31. A full schedule can be found on the official Indian Premier League website.
Virat Kohli led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-run win over the Punjab Kings in last year’s final. It was their first IPL title.
How to watch the 2026 IPL season online from anywhere using a VPN
If you’re traveling abroad and want to keep up with the action from the Indian Premier League while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming.
It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds, and can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security.
However, some streaming services may have policies that restrict VPN use to access region-specific content. If you’re considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform’s terms of service to ensure compliance.
If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider’s installation instructions, ensuring you’re connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verify whether your streaming subscription allows VPN use.
Price $13 per month, $75 for the first year or $98 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $100 per year)Latest Tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 testsJurisdiction British Virgin IslandsNetwork 3,000 plus servers in 105 countries
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. Prices start at $3.49 a month on a two-year plan for the service’s Basic tier.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Livestream the Indian Premier League season in the US and Canada
The 2026 T20 World Cup final is being broadcast live in North America on the cricket streaming service Willow TV.
A direct Willow TV subscription is available in the US for $10 per month or $80 per year, allowing you to watch a wide range of matches from around the world via your browser or the service’s very own app.
The dedicated cricket-streaming service is also available from various cable providers, including Spectrum, Dish and Xfinity as well as OTT providers Sling TV (via its Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans) and Fubo (via an add-on).
Livestream the IPL 2026 in India
This year’s IPL is being televised on Star Sports linear channels in India, and can be livestreamed via JioHotstar.
JioHotstar is available in three different tiers. The streaming service’s Mobile plan currently costs Rs 79. The new Super Plan (Ads, 2 Devices, 1080p) will meanwhile set you back Rs 149 per month, while the top tier Premium Plan (Ad-Free, 4 Devices, 4K, Includes Hollywood) is now priced at Rs 299 per month.
Watch the Indian Premier League in the UK
Live coverage of Sunday’s final is exclusive to Sky Sports in the UK and will be broadcast on its Sky Sports cricket channel. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the tournament via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to set up a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the game.
Sky subsidiary Now offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for £15, or sign up to a monthly plan from £35 per month right now.
Livestream the Indian Premier League in South Africa
In South Africa, IPL matches are being broadcast live this season on SuperSport.
If you can’t watch on your TV, you can also watch via the network’s streaming service for PC and Mac, as well as via SuperSport’s mobile app.
Pay TV network SuperSport boasts exclusive live coverage of Indian Premier League matches in South Africa.
The main ways to stream SuperSport is through DStv Stream Premium which currently costs R799 per month.
Stream the Indian Premier League in Australia
Cricket fans Down Under can watch Indian Premier League action on Fox Sports via Foxtel. If you’re not a Fox subscriber, your best option is to sign up for the streaming service Kayo Sports.
A Kayo Sports subscription starts at AU$30 a month and lets you stream on one screen, while its Premium tier costs AU$46 a month for simultaneous viewing on up to three devices.
The service gives you access to a wide range of sports, including F1, NRL, NFL, NHL and MLB, and there are no lock-in contracts.
Better still, if you’re a new customer, you can take advantage of a one-week Kayo Sports free trial.
Stream the Indian Premier League in New Zealand
Cricket fans in New Zealand looking to cheer on the Black Caps in Sunday’s final will need a subscription to pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sport, which has the broadcast rights to show the T20 World Cup live.
Pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sport will be showing the T20 World Cup final live in New Zealand. That also means you can also watch every game online using the network’s Sky Go streaming service.
Cord-cutters can opt for the online-only Sky Sport Now service, which costs $30 for a weekly pass, $55 for the monthly option, or $550 for a full year of viewing.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
