What is the IPL?
The Indian Premier League is cricket's richest competition — ten city franchises playing T20 each spring since 2008, run by the BCCI, with a media-rights valuation that ranks among world sport's biggest per game. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are back-to-back champions, sealing 2026 over Gujarat Titans with Virat Kohli unbeaten on 75 in the final.[1] [2]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 5 wickets vs Gujarat Titans (Ahmedabad) — back-to-back; Kohli 75* |
| 2025 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 6 runs vs Punjab Kings — first title after 18 seasons |
| 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 wickets vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 2023 | Chennai Super Kings | 5th title — last-ball final vs Gujarat Titans |
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans | Champions in their first season |
| 2021 | Chennai Super Kings | |
| 2020 | Mumbai Indians | 5th title (UAE season) |
| 2019 | Mumbai Indians | 1-run final vs CSK |
| 2018 | Chennai Super Kings | Comeback title after suspension |
| 2017 | Mumbai Indians |
IPL champions of the last ten seasons.
How does it work?
Squads are built at the league's famous auction — every player's price public — with limits on overseas players making an IPL contract one of the sport's scarcest credentials. A double round-robin leads to playoffs and the final; the Women's Premier League runs in parallel.[2] [3]
Why does it matter?
The IPL reset cricket's economy and calendar — the league every star plays, the stage where T20's craft evolves, and the model for the franchise leagues that now ring the cricket world.[1] [3]
References
- IPL — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Olympics.com — RCB beat Gujarat Titans to win IPL 2026. Accessed August 2026.
- ESPNcricinfo — IPL coverage. Accessed August 2026.