Indian Premier League

The Indian Premier League is the world's biggest T20 franchise competition. This page shows live IPL scores and fixtures while the season is on, and explains how the league works the rest of the year.

Usually late March to late May or early June.

Teams

  • Chennai Super Kings (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)
  • Delhi Capitals (Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi)
  • Gujarat Titans (Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad)
  • Kolkata Knight Riders (Eden Gardens, Kolkata)
  • Lucknow Super Giants (Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow)
  • Mumbai Indians (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)
  • Punjab Kings (Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Mullanpur)
  • Rajasthan Royals (Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur)
  • Royal Challengers Bengaluru (M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru)
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad)

How the IPL works

Ten franchises play a league stage of 70 matches, each side meeting five opponents twice and four once, for 14 games apiece. A win is worth two points and a no-result one; teams level on points are separated first by the number of wins and then by net run rate. The top four go into the playoffs: first plays second in Qualifier 1 for a direct place in the final, third plays fourth in the Eliminator, and the Qualifier 1 loser meets the Eliminator winner in Qualifier 2. That gives the two best league sides a second chance, which is why finishing in the top two matters so much. Seventy league games plus four playoff games make a 74-match season.

Squads are built through a player auction. Franchises retain a limited number of players before each auction and spend the rest of a fixed purse bidding for the others, with rules on how many overseas players a squad may hold and how many may play in an XI (four). Every few years a larger "mega" auction resets most squads. Our guide walks through the auction, purse and retention rules.

Since 2023, and still in the 2026 season, the league has used the Impact Player rule: each side names five substitutes with its XI at the toss and may bring one of them in before an innings, at the end of an over, or when a wicket falls or a batter retires, replacing a player who then takes no further part. In practice it lets a team field an extra specialist batter or bowler, and it is one reason first-innings totals rose sharply after its introduction.

A short history

The IPL began in 2008 with eight city franchises and has been played every year since, with the 2009 edition moved to South Africa and the opening stage of 2014, the whole of 2020 and the second half of 2021 staged in the United Arab Emirates. It expanded to ten teams in 2022 with the arrival of Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have been the most successful franchises, with five titles each. Chris Gayle's 175 not out for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in 2013 was still the highest individual score in the competition's history after the 2026 season.

Frequently asked questions

How many teams qualify for the IPL playoffs?

Four. The top two play Qualifier 1, with the winner going straight to the final. Third and fourth play the Eliminator, and the Eliminator winner meets the Qualifier 1 loser in Qualifier 2 for the other final place.

How is the IPL points table ordered?

By points first (two for a win, one for a no-result). Teams level on points are separated by the number of wins, and then by net run rate. Net run rate is explained in our net run rate guide, and the IPL guide covers the playoff format.

Is the IPL points table shown here when the league is not on?

No. The table on this page comes from the live feed and appears only during a season. We do not show a previous season's table as if it were current.

Facts on this page were last checked on 24 October 2026. If something is out of date, tell us.