2026 edition of IPL reached 1.2 billion viewers, up seven percent 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 consecutive IPL title.“Tata IPL 2026 reached over 1.2 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of seven percent. The season kept viewers glued to the screens as viewing time touched 870 billion minutes. The final, which ended with RCB lifting the trophy for the second year in a row, doubled its viewership, making ITA-40 million the most watched match across all screens,” JioStar said in a release.“The 2026 season saw strong growth in digital screens. Connected TV grew by 22 percent. Digital video views reached 25 billion, an eight percent increase year-on-year. Regional language viewing time share on digital increased by 33 percent,” it added.Total viewing time for the season reached 870 billion minutes, while the final became the most-watched IPL match of all time with over 400 million viewers reaching across platforms, the broadcaster said.Digital consumption also saw an increase. Connected TV viewership grew 22 percent, while digital video viewers reached 25 billion, up eight percent from last season. Regional language watch time on digital platforms increased by 33%.In the final, Gujarat Titans were asked to bat first by RCB and scored 155/8 in their 20 overs. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten by scoring 50 runs off 37 balls with the help of five fours, Nishant Sindhu scored 20 runs off 18 balls with the help of three fours. No other Gujarat batsman crossed the 20-run mark. Rashikh Dar Salam returned figures of 3/27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed 2/29 and Josh Hazlewood 2/37.RCB got off to a good start thanks to a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli. Venkatesh scored 32 runs off 16 balls with the help of four fours and two sixes.Gujarat fought back and reduced RCB to 132/5, but Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes, to send his team home with two overs to spare.The title was RCB’s second IPL trophy and their fourth franchise title overall, including two Women’s Premier League crowns.
