IPL 2026 starts on 22 March and the final lands on 25 May, so we have nine weeks of cricket coming. On Playinexch the IPL is by far the biggest single event of the year. Roughly 40% of platform volume passes through these 74 matches.
This post lays out the schedule, the markets we list for each match, and the practical stuff that matters when you bet a long tournament instead of a one-off game.
The full IPL 2026 schedule
BCCI confirmed the fixture list on 8 February. Group stage runs from 22 March to 18 May. Playoffs (Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, Final) run 21 to 25 May.
Ten teams, double round-robin, 74 league matches plus 4 playoff games. Mumbai Indians defend the 2025 title.
Key dates to circle
- 22 March, opening match: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede. Highest-volume game of the season for us every year. Pre-match liquidity crosses ₹1.5 crore on the match-winner market.
- 13 April, the El Clásico: RCB vs CSK at Chinnaswamy. Always the most-watched non-final match.
- 5 May, last league weekend. Three games on Sunday, all consequential for playoff seeding.
- 25 May, IPL final at Eden Gardens. Markets open three weeks ahead with futures.
Markets we list per IPL match
A typical IPL game on Playinexch carries 30 to 45 markets. The full list shifts a little depending on team and venue, but here is the core menu.
Pre-match
- Match winner (2-way and 3-way with tie)
- Tournament winner futures (open from now to the final)
- To make playoffs (yes/no, per team)
- Series top run-scorer / top wicket-taker
- Toss winner
- Method of toss (heads/tails)
- First innings total runs (over/under)
In-play
- Runs in next over
- Powerplay total (over 1 to 6)
- Death overs total (over 15 to 20)
- Fall of next wicket (over band)
- Method of dismissal (caught / bowled / LBW / run-out / other)
- Top batsman this innings
- Player runs over/under (Kohli over 35.5, Pant over 25.5, etc.)
- Will there be a super over (very thin liquidity, but listed)
- Maiden over in the next 5 overs (yes/no)
- Six in next over (yes/no)
What new IPL bettors usually get wrong
Three patterns we see year after year from first-time IPL bettors.
They overweight the toss. The toss does matter in subcontinent T20s, but not as much as social media suggests. Historical IPL data: toss-winner wins about 53% of matches. Pre-toss prices already bake in 80% of that edge. The remaining 5 to 7% is real but small.
They chase live odds in the powerplay. Runs and wickets in the first six overs create big price swings. New bettors get drawn into trading every over. The math says wait until over 8 or 9 when the chase rate stabilises, and you’ll get better entry prices.
They forget about commission. The Playinexch commission is 2% (half the industry standard of 5%) and applies only to net winnings. But it does add up over 74 matches. A bettor who turns over ₹5 lakh per month across the season will pay roughly ₹10,000 in commission. Build that into your bankroll planning.
How to play IPL 2026 on Playinexch
Already have an account? Skip ahead, you know the drill. New players:
- Click the WhatsApp button at the top of any page and ask for an ID. Takes under 90 seconds.
- Deposit ₹100 or more (UPI is fastest). Claim the 100% welcome bonus on your first deposit, capped at ₹10,000.
- Open the cricket schedule on /cricket/. IPL matches show with an orange “IPL” tag.
- Click any market to place a bet. Bets settle automatically after the match ends.
- Withdraw winnings via UPI or IMPS. Median processing time during business hours is 9 minutes 22 seconds.
FAQs
What time do IPL 2026 matches start?
Weekend double-headers start at 3:30 PM IST (afternoon match) and 7:30 PM IST (evening match). Weekday matches start at 7:30 PM IST.
Are all 74 IPL 2026 matches covered on Playinexch?
Yes. Every match with full markets, including thinner ones like the Wednesday games. Pre-match markets open 72 hours before each match.
What is the minimum bet on IPL markets?
₹50 on the main market (match winner, top batsman, total runs). Some niche markets like “method of dismissal” or “six in next over” start at ₹100.
Can I cash out an IPL bet before the match ends?
Yes. The “Cash out” button on any matched bet offers the current market value. You can accept or hold for full settlement.
What happens to my bet if rain causes a no-result?
Limited-overs matches follow Duckworth-Lewis. If DLS cannot apply (no overs bowled in second innings), the match-winner market is voided and stakes refund. Player-prop markets settle based on what actually happened in the match.
Open the IPL 2026 page on Playinexch Cricket Exchange from 22 March.