IPL 2026 starts on 22 March and the final lands on 25 May, so we have nine weeks of cricket ahead. On Funexchange, the IPL is by far the biggest single event of the year. Around 42% of our weekly volume runs 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 IPL 2026 schedule
BCCI confirmed the fixture list on 8 February. Group stage runs 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
- 22 March, opening match: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings at Wankhede. Highest-volume game of the season every year. Pre-match liquidity crosses ₹1.4 crore on the match-winner book.
- 13 April, the El Clásico: RCB vs CSK at Chinnaswamy. Always the most-watched non-final match of the year.
- 5 May, last league weekend. Three Sunday games, all consequential for playoff seeding.
- 25 May, the final at Eden Gardens. Markets open three weeks ahead with futures.
Markets we list per IPL match
A typical IPL game on Funexchange carries 30 to 45 markets. The full list shifts a bit by 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 (overs 1 to 6)
- Death overs total (overs 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, and so on)
- Will there be a super over (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.
They overweight the toss. Toss matters in subcontinent T20s, but not as much as Twitter 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 cause 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. You’ll get better entry prices.
They forget about commission. Funexchange charges 2% (half the industry standard) on net winnings. It still adds up over 74 matches. A bettor who turns over ₹5 lakh per month across the season pays roughly ₹10,000 in commission. Build that into your bankroll planning.
How to play IPL 2026 on Funexchange
Already have an account? Skip ahead. New players:
- Tap the WhatsApp button at the top of any page and ask for an ID. Under two minutes.
- Deposit ₹100 or more (UPI is fastest). Claim the 100% welcome bonus on your first deposit, capped at ₹15,000.
- Open the cricket schedule on the Cricket page. IPL matches show with an orange “IPL” tag.
- Click any market to place a bet. Bets settle automatically after the match ends.
- Withdraw via UPI or IMPS. Median processing time during business hours is 18 minutes 40 seconds.
FAQs
What time do IPL 2026 matches start?
Weekend double-headers: 3:30 PM IST (afternoon) and 7:30 PM IST (evening). Weekday matches: 7:30 PM IST.
Are all 74 IPL 2026 matches covered?
Yes. Every match with full markets, including the thinner Wednesday games. Pre-match markets open 72 hours before each match.
What’s the minimum bet?
₹50 on the main markets. ₹100 on niche markets like “method of dismissal” or “six in next over”.
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. Accept it or hold for full settlement.
What happens to my bet if rain causes a no-result?
Limited-overs matches follow Duckworth-Lewis. If DLS can’t apply (no overs bowled in the second innings), the match-winner market is voided and stakes refund. Player-prop markets settle based on what actually happened.
Open the IPL 2026 page on Funexchange Cricket from 22 March.