IPL (India) 2025/26

The Indian Premier League (IPL) stands as a distinct commercial entity within Indian cricket, operating independently of the traditional domestic pyramid. Established in 2007 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the tournament launched its inaugural season in 2008. It eschews the conventional state-based structure found in competitions like the Ranji Trophy, opting instead for a closed franchise model with ten city-based teams. These clubs, including the Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals, do not face promotion or relegation, with their participation secured through long-term rights acquired via open auctions.

The competition’s format centres on a league stage followed by a high-pressure playoff system. Teams compete in a modified round-robin schedule before the top four advance to a knockout phase comprising the Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. This structure demands consistency from the outset, as the gap between finishing fourth and fifth can mean elimination from the title race. The league’s financial model is equally distinctive, featuring significant salary caps and central revenue distribution that allow private entities to hold valuable stakes in the teams.

Historical shifts have shaped the current landscape. The league expanded to ten teams in 2022 with the arrival of the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. Past controversies, such as the suspension of the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in 2015-2016, led to the introduction of temporary franchises like the Gujarat Lions. In terms of success, the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians share the record for the most titles, each having won the competition five times. While the 2026 season crowned the Royal Challengers Bengaluru as champions, the enduring legacy of the Mumbai franchise and the Chennai side remains a defining feature of the tournament’s history. Major sponsorship deals from brands such as the Tata Group have further cemented its status as a global sporting spectacle.