IPL 2026 opens to massive audiences, setting new engagement benchmarks

Dubai: The opening weekend of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has shattered viewership records, drawing massive audiences across both Star Sports Network and JioHotstar.

With thrilling 200+ run chases in the first two matches, the tournament recorded a combined reach of over 515 million on television and digital platforms, according to an official release.

Fans glued to screens

The exciting finishes kept viewers hooked, generating a total watch-time of 32.6 billion minutes — 26% higher than the opening weekend of last year’s IPL. Connected TV (CTV) reach jumped 30%, while concurrent viewership surged 61%. On traditional television, the first two matches saw a 24% rise in TV ratings compared with previous seasons.

One standout feature this season has been the introduction of differentiated viewing experiences. The CTV Hindi feed, for example, features cricket legends such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, and Irfan Pathan. By combining expert insights with an interactive watch-along format, the feed offers a fresh, immersive way for fans to enjoy live cricket.

JioStar celebrates record engagement

Ishan Chatterjee, CEO of Sports at JioStar, said the numbers highlight the unmatched appeal of live cricket in India. “TATA IPL 2026 has opened at record scale, with deeper engagement than ever before across all platforms. Live cricket continues to be the most effective environment to drive real brand outcomes at scale,” he added.

Arun Singh Dhumal, Chairman of the IPL, also praised the tournament’s strong opening. “The combination of high-quality cricket and enhanced viewing experiences is clearly resonating with fans across the country. The IPL has always been about pushing boundaries, and it is pleasing to see the league continues to set new benchmarks in both sport and fan engagement,” he said.

The strong start underscores how fans across India are uniting to watch the IPL on JioStar platforms. With both record reach and deep engagement, the 2026 season is shaping up to be the biggest yet, promising more thrilling cricket and innovative ways to enjoy the game.