The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League reached 1.2 billion viewers, registering a seven per cent increase year-on-year, according to state broadcaster JioStar.The season ended with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final in Ahmedabad to win their second successive IPL title.
“TATA IPL 2026 reach rose to over 1.2 billion, reflecting a 7 per cent year-on-year growth. The season kept viewers glued to screens with viewing time reaching 870 billion minutes. The final, which culminated in RCB lifting the trophy for the second year in a row, achieved a doubling of viewership, becoming the most watched TATA IPL match ever, reaching over 400 million across screens,” JioStar said in a statement.“The 2026 season saw strong growth across digital screens. Connected TV grew by 22 percent. Digital video views reached 25 billion, representing an 8 percent increase year-on-year. The share of regional language viewing time rose by 33 percent on digital media,” he added.The total viewing time for this season reached 870 billion minutes, while the final became the most-watched IPL match ever with a reach of more than 400 million viewers across platforms, the broadcaster said.
Digital consumption has also seen growth. Connected TV viewership rose by 22 percent, while digital video views reached 25 billion views, an increase of 8 percent compared to the previous season. Viewing time in regional languages on digital platforms increased by 33 percent.In the final, Gujarat Titans were asked to bat first by RCB and scored 155/8 in their 20 overs. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten with 50 off 37 balls with five fours, while Nishant Sindhu made 20 off 18 balls with three fours.
No other Gujarat batsman has crossed the 20-run mark. Rasikh Dar es Salaam returned figures of 3/27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2/29 and Josh Hazlewood took 2/37.RCB got off to a good start with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli. Venkatesh scored 32 off 16 balls with four boundaries and two sixes.Gujarat fought back and reduced RCB to 132/5, but Kohli remained unbeaten with 75 off 42 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes, to take his side home with two overs to spare.The title was RCB’s second IPL trophy and the franchise’s fourth title overall, including two Women’s Super League titles.