Punjab Kings IPL 2026 Schedule: Full Fixtures, Dates, Timings & Venues

Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings are set for another intense IPL campaign in 2026, and the BCCI has now released their full schedule for the league stage. 

PBKS will play 14 matches across multiple venues, starting with a home fixture against Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh on March 31. With a mix of challenging away games and a notable three-match home stretch in Dharamshala to close out the league phase, the schedule demands both consistency and adaptability from the side.

Last Season’s Runners-Up Return with Renewed Ambition

Punjab Kings come into IPL 2026 off the back of their best-ever season. Under Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting, PBKS topped the group stage in IPL 2025 before narrowly falling to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final in Ahmedabad. That near-miss has only sharpened their hunger, and with largely the same core group returning this year, the team will be determined to go one step further and lift the trophy for the first time in franchise history.

The squad is well-rounded across all departments. Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen headline a strong pace attack, while Yuzvendra Chahal provides class in spin. In the batting lineup, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, and Shashank Singh offer firepower at the top and middle order, complemented by the experience of Marcus Stoinis and the captain himself. Lockie Ferguson and Xavier Bartlett add further pace depth, giving PBKS genuine options in all conditions.

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Home Venues: A Split Between New Chandigarh and Dharamshala

Punjab Kings will divide their home fixtures between two venues this season. The New Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in New Chandigarh will host the first four home games, while the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala will take over for the final three home fixtures between May 11 and May 17.

The Dharamshala ground is one of the most scenic and atmospheric venues in Indian cricket. It also tends to offer assistance to pacers early on, which could suit Punjab’s bowling attack well. Playing three consecutive matches there in the final weeks of the league stage adds a strategic dimension to how PBKS manage their squad during that period.

Phase One: New Chandigarh Kickoff and Early Away Tests

Punjab Kings open their campaign on March 31 at home against the Gujarat Titans. Three days later, on April 3, they travel to Chennai to face the Super Kings in what will be a challenging away fixture under lights. Chennai’s spin-friendly surface has historically tested visiting sides, and PBKS will need Chahal to be at his best in that game.

The away run continues on April 6, when they head to Kolkata for a clash with the Knight Riders, before returning home on April 11 to host Sunrisers Hyderabad at New Chandigarh in a 3:30 PM afternoon match. The SRH fixture will be a significant test given the Hyderabad side’s batting firepower.

April 16 brings another difficult away trip, this time to Mumbai to face the Indians at their fortress. Then, on April 19, PBKS return to New Chandigarh for a home game against Lucknow Super Giants at 7:30 PM. After that, they travel to Delhi on April 25 for an afternoon encounter against the Capitals, before rounding off their New Chandigarh home fixtures on April 28 against the Rajasthan Royals.

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Phase Two: Away Grind Before Dharamshala Finale

May begins with a tough away stretch. On May 3, PBKS travel to Ahmedabad to take on the Gujarat Titans in what could be a pivotal game for playoff qualification. Three days later, on May 6, they are in Hyderabad to face the Sunrisers in another away contest.

Then comes the Dharamshala chapter. Three consecutive home games between May 11 and May 17 give Punjab a real opportunity to consolidate their position in the standings on familiar ground. First up are the Delhi Capitals on May 11, followed by the Mumbai Indians on May 14, and then a blockbuster clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 17 in a 3:30 PM fixture. Given last year’s final result, that RCB game will carry an extra edge.

The league stage wraps up on May 23, when PBKS travel to Lucknow for a 7:30 PM evening match against the Super Giants. Depending on where teams stand at that point, this could be a season-defining fixture.

Full Punjab Kings IPL 2026 Schedule

What to Watch For

A few fixtures stand out as potential season-defining moments. The back-to-back away games against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad and the Sunrisers in Hyderabad in early May will test Punjab’s depth and resolve at a critical stage of the competition. How the team manages those fixtures before entering their Dharamshala home stretch will likely shape their playoff prospects.

The three Dharamshala games in quick succession, spread across just six days, will demand smart squad rotation. With matches against Delhi, Mumbai, and RCB in that window, there is no room for drift. Ponting and his coaching staff will need to balance player workloads carefully, particularly with fast bowlers who may feel the effects of a long tournament by that point.

Overall, the Punjab Kings have a schedule that rewards consistency. There are no extended rest periods, but there are also clear windows where home advantage can be pressed. If PBKS carry forward the momentum from last season, they are well-placed to mount a serious title challenge once again in 2026.

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