How to watch IPL 2026 in the US: TV schedule, channels & live streaming options

Why not join the millions around the globe who will be eagerly tuning in to watch all the IPL cricket action unfold on Indian soil over the coming weeks? If you’ve not watched IPL cricket before, you don’t know what you’re missing.

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The IPL, or Indian Premier League, is a Twenty20 (T20) cricket competition held annually in India. T20 is a cricket format where each team plays one innings of 20 overs. The IPL was launched in 2008, and its remarkable success led to the creation of numerous other cricket leagues worldwide. Despite global growth in T20 events, the IPL remains the world's largest and most prestigious T20 franchise competition.

Although it’s not one of the headline sports in the States, cricket continues to grow in popularity. Cricket is played in up to 500 leagues nationwide, which could mean approximately 250,000 people are playing regularly, and the sport has a rich history in the U.S. The first international cricket match in the United States took place in New York in 1844 between the U.S. and Canada. 

We can assure you there were no fisticuffs on this occasion. A crowd of 5,000 is said to have watched the two-day encounter, which was played at the St George's Cricket Club grounds in New York. The Civil War and the rise of baseball may have quelled the spread of cricket, but in more recent times, there’s been a push to try to make the sport more appealing to the mainstream masses.

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The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S. and the West Indies, increased cricket's appeal. Central Broward Park (Florida), Nassau County Stadium (New York), and Grand Prairie Stadium (Texas) staged 16 matches during the tournament.

Just days after the T20 World Cup ended, the second edition of Major League Cricket began, with world stars such as Faf du Plessis, Steve Smith, and Rashid Khan participating. The creation of a professional cricket league in the U.S. and youth leagues is further fueling interest. The United States is also set to host cricket’s much-anticipated return to the Olympics, with the sport included in the Summer Games programme for Los Angeles 2028.

Get your helmet on, strap on your pads, and let GOAL show you everything you need to know about IPL 2026, including when and where to watch all the matches live.

When does the IPL 2026 season start?

The tournament was initially slated for March 26, but the BCCI recently pushed the start date back by two days to March 28th, to allow a slightly larger gap following the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup final (which took place on March 8). 

Who are the key players in the IPL 2026?

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The 2026 IPL season is uniquely positioned as a year of change. With several legends taking on new roles and a record-breaking mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, these are the key players set to define the tournament:

Cameron Green (KKR): The Australian all-rounder became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history, fetched by KKR for a staggering ₹25.20 crore. He is expected to step into the massive shoes of Andre Russell, who has moved into a coaching role. 

Matheesha Pathirana (KKR): After being surprisingly released by CSK, the Sri Lankan 'Baby Malinga' was snapped up by KKR for ₹18 crore, forming a lethal pace duo with Green.

Prashant Veer & Kartik Sharma (CSK): The yellow army spent big on youth, making this duo the joint-most expensive uncapped players ever at ₹14.20 crore each. Veer is highly touted as the tactical successor to Ravindra Jadeja.

Sanju Samson (CSK): After years as the face of the Royals, Samson moves to Chennai. While Ruturaj Gaikwad remains captain, Samson is the centrepiece of their post-Dhoni batting era.

Ravindra Jadeja (RR): Returning to where it all began in 2008, Jadeja is expected to lead a young Rajasthan side, bringing veteran composure to a squad featuring stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Mohammed Shami (LSG): Moving from SRH via trade, Shami will lead the Lucknow pace attack alongside the lightning-fast (but injury-prone) Mayank Yadav.

Upcoming IPL 2026 schedule

🇺🇸 🇨🇦 How to watch the IPL 2026 in the US & Canada

Willow TV is a dedicated cricket broadcaster, and it’s the exclusive home of the IPL in the US. Here, you’ll find live and recorded match streaming, making it possible for fans to follow the action as it happens. Additionally, the platform provides detailed match analysis, commentary, and highlights to enrich the viewing experience.

FuboTV is a high-quality streaming service that includes Willow TV, offering access to the IPL and a wide range of sports. Fubo offers multiple subscription plans, including the new 'Fubo Sports' plan, which costs $45.99 for the first month and $55.99 per month thereafter. It's streamlined and sports-focused, with over 28 channels, including ESPN Unlimited, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, NFL Network, Tennis Channel, and local networks such as ABC, CBS, and Fox. Other Fubo plans start at $84.99/month, with a free 7-day trial available to new subscribers across all plans. The streaming service is a no-brainer for wrestling and general sports fans.

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🛜 Watch the IPL 2026 from anywhere with a VPN

If you are unable to watch IPL matches live in your area or if you're travelling, you can use a VPN to tune into the action from wherever you are. A VPN creates a secure connection to bypass geographical restrictions and access your favourite streaming services from anywhere.

We highly recommend using NordVPN, but you can also check out our detailed VPN guide for other options.

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