RCB vs GT final becomes most-watched IPL match:IPL 2026 registers viewership record with 87,000 crore minutes of watch time

Not just in terms of on-field performances but IPL 2026 was truly a record-breaking one, setting viewership records. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), led by Rajat Patidar became the winners of the 19th edition of the IPL, beating the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 31 May. With this, RCB became only the third team in IPL history to win back-to-back IPL titles, with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) being the other two. IPL 2026 became the most-watched season in the history of the tournament. RCB vs GT becomes most-watched IPL match ever The IPL 2026 final between RCB and GT, although one-sided, became the most-watched match in the history of the tournament. According to a release by JioStar, the match reached across 400 million (40 crore) screens. The season itself clocked an astounding watch time of 870 billion (87,000 crore). “TATA IPL 2026 reach soared over an astounding 1.2 billion, reflecting a growth of 7% year-on-year. The season, marked by new heroes, never-before-seen performances, and compelling sub-plots, kept viewers glued to screens as watch time touched 870 billion minutes. The TATA IPL 2026 Final, which culminated in Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifting the trophy for a second consecutive year, delivered a viewership double, becoming the most-watched TATA IPL match ever, reaching over 400 million across screens,” a statement by JioStar read. Ishan Chatterjee, JioStar CEO said, “TATA IPL 2026 was a season where we set out on our journey of what a truly integrated sports platform should look like. Our endeavour was to make every screen, every interaction, and every moment meaningful, so that fans are not only watching sports on our platform but also interacting with it in ways that are deeply contextual and personal.” “The season-ending data is a testament to the efforts we made across platforms, with CTV’s communal experience and regional-language presentation becoming unprecedented growth drivers. The final outcome was yet another TATA IPL edition that opened up new possibilities for sponsors, advertisers, distribution partners, and, more importantly, the fans; none of this would have been possible without their faith and the BCCI’s unwavering partnership,” he added. Also read: Sri Lanka A beat India A in thrilling Super Over: Sooryavanshi shoves Lankan player in heated altercation, Tilak argues with umpire | WATCH The IPL 2026 final was, however, a one-sided one with RCB defeating GT rather comfortably. Batting first, the Shubman Gill-led GT scored 155/8 and in response, RCB chased down the target with ease, in 18 overs. Virat Kohli, one of the players who has played all seasons of the IPL, hit the winning runs, a six to seal the title for his team. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sweeps major awards in IPL 2026 Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi bagged almost all major batting awards in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old won the Orange Cap with 776 runs, becoming the youngest-ever to do so. He was also named Most Valuable Player and Emerging Player of the Season. Additionally, he also bagged awards for hitting the most sixes (a record 72) and having the highest strike-rate. Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan was awarded for hitting the most number of fours. His teammate Kagiso Rabada bagged the Purple Cap for finishing with 29 wickets to his name.