Google has rolled out a special Doodle to mark the start of IPL 2026, celebrating the opening of the tournament's 19th edition with an interactive design and live match features.
A neon-themed cricket tribute
Titled "Indian Premier League 2026", the animated Doodle features a purple neon theme reflecting the high-energy atmosphere associated with the tournament. At the centre are an animated cricket bat and ball, highlighted with a gleaming star effect.
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The design also includes the iconic "Zing Bails", creatively placed within the "G" of the Google logo. Blinking neon lights and motion elements add to the overall visual appeal, giving the Doodle a dynamic, stadium-like feel.
Interactive features for fans
Beyond the visual celebration, the Doodle doubles as an interactive entry point for cricket fans. Clicking on it redirects users to a dedicated portal that provides live scores, match schedules and real-time insights.
Google has also joined the tournament as a co-presenting sponsor this year. The platform will offer AI-powered updates and analytics aimed at enhancing the digital viewing experience for fans following matches online.
Tournament begins in Bengaluru
The 2026 edition opens with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The season will feature 10 teams competing across a two-month period.
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A total of 84 matches are scheduled, continuing the IPL's tradition of combining high-level cricket with large-scale entertainment. The league remains one of the most-watched sporting events globally, drawing audiences across television and digital platforms.
The schedule for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League was announced on March 26, and it is going to be a busy calendar for the upcoming two months. The tournament will start on March 28 and end on May 31, comprising 70 league matches before the playoffs and final in Bengaluru.
The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will start the tournament against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The timings for the matches will be 7:30 PM IST for the evening matches, and on days when doubleheaders are scheduled, a game will start at 3:30 PM IST.
