How to watch IPL 2026 for free using JioHotstar? Check best Jio, Airtel and Vi recharge plans with free OTT access, data benefits and full streaming details.
Cricket in India is not just a game, but it is like a festival and Indian Premier League i.e. IPL is the biggest example of this. IPL 2026 started with a bang on March 28, 2026 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where a high-voltage match was seen between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. If you want to watch all the matches of IPL 2026 without missing it, then it is very important to choose the right streaming platform and the right recharge plan. This time IPL is not completely free, but through some smart plans of telecom companies Jio, Airtel and Vi, you can enjoy it almost for free.
Table of Contents of How to watch IPL 2026 for free
IPL 2026 on JioHotstar of How to watch IPL 2026 for free
This time JioHotstar has adopted hybrid model. This means that you can watch the beginning of the match for free for some time, but to watch the entire match, you will need to take a subscription. The most basic plan starts at ₹79/month, which offers mobile viewing. Whereas the ₹ 149 Super Plan gives you the facility of streaming on two devices, but if you do not want to take a separate subscription, then this subscription is available for free with some plans of telecom companies.
How to Watch IPL 2026 for Free
In today’s time, it is not easy for everyone to spend money on OTT subscription, especially when you just want to watch cricket or big tournaments like IPL. In such a situation, telecom companies provide a smart way – OTT access along with recharge plan. If you already recharge your mobile number, then why not choose a plan that provides the benefits of data, calling and OTT? This is why Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea have included JioHotstar in many of their prepaid plans, so that users can watch live matches without purchasing a separate subscription. The specialty of these plans is that you do not need to spend separately, rather you get the complete entertainment pack in a single recharge.
Jio, Airtel & Vi Plans with Free JioHotstar: How to Watch IPL 2026 for Free
| Plan | Benefits | JioHotstarValidity |
| Jio ₹100 Data Pack | 5GB Data | 1 Month |
| Jio ₹195 Data Pack | 15GB data | 3 months |
| Jio ₹500 | 2GB/day data, 28 days validity | 28 Days |
| Jio ₹3,599 | 2.5GB/day data, annual plan | 1 year |
| Jio ₹949 | 2GB/day data, 84 days validity | 84 Days |
| Airtel ₹449 | 4GB/day data | 1 Month |
| Airtel ₹1,029 | 2GB/day data, 84 days | 3 months |
| Airtel ₹3,999 | 2.5GB/day data | 1 year |
| Airtel ₹48 Voucher | 1GB Data | 1 Month |
| Airtel ₹100 Data Pack | 6GB Data | 1 Month |
| Airtel ₹195 Data Pack | 12GB Data+ Xstream | 1 Month |
| Vi ₹399 | 2GB/day data | 1 Month |
| Vi ₹469 | 2.5GB/day data | 3 months |
| Vi ₹994 | 2GB/day data, 84 days | 3 months |
| Vi ₹44 Data Pack | 1GB Data | 1 Month |
| Vi ₹101 Data Pack | 5GB Data | 3 months |
| Vi ₹151 Data Pack | 4GB Data | 3 months |
| Vi ₹169 Data Pack | 8GB Data | 3 months |
Reliance Jio Plans: How to Watch IPL 2026 for Free
If we talk about the plans coming with OTT, then Reliance Jio seems to be at the forefront at this time. Access to JioHotstar is already included in many of its prepaid plans, so users do not need to take a separate app subscription.
1. Jio’s Rs 100 plan
Jio’s Rs 100 data pack is for those users who want to watch OTT content and cricket matches at very low cost. A total of 5GB high-speed data is available in this pack, whose validity is for 30 days. In this, mobile and TV subscription of JioHotstar is available free for 30 days. After the data is exhausted, the internet speed becomes 64kbps. This is a data voucher, so to use it, you must already have an active base plan on your number.
2. Jio’s Rs 195 plan
If you need a little more data and want to watch the matches without any worries during the entire tournament, then Jio’s Rs 195 pack is a better option. A total of 15GB data is available in this pack, whose validity is 90 days. With this plan also, JioHotstar mobile and TV subscription is available free for 90 days. After reaching the data limit, the speed remains at 64kbps. This pack is also a data voucher plan.
3. Jio’s Rs 500 plan
This plan is for those users who want more benefits at a lower price. It provides 2GB high-speed data daily, so that you can stream live matches comfortably. Additionally, support for unlimited calling and unlimited 5G data is also available. The biggest thing is that in this plan, 28 days JioHotstar mobile subscription is available free, whereas the validity of the plan is only 28 days, that is, with one recharge you can cover a large part of the entire IPL season.
4. Jio’s Rs 949 plan
If you want to avoid frequent recharge, then the ₹949 plan is perfect for you. It has a long validity of 84 days, during which you get the benefit of 2GB data and unlimited calling every day. Along with this, 3 months JioHotstar subscription is also given, which can be enough for the entire IPL season. This plan is especially good for those users who want to watch the match uninterrupted for a long period.
5. Jio’s Rs 3,599 plan
If you use both OTT and data heavily, then the annual plan of ₹ 3,599 is the best option. It provides 2.5GB data daily, which is enough for high quality streaming. With this, you get full 1 year JioHotstar subscription, so that you can enjoy not only IPL but also entertainment throughout the year.
Bharti Airtel Plans: How to Watch IPL 2026 for Free
If you want to enjoy the Indian Premier League 2026 to the fullest and do not want to buy a separate OTT subscription, then Bharti Airtel plans can be a great option for you. Airtel has included access to JioHotstar in many of its prepaid plans and data vouchers, giving users access to data, calling and entertainment in a single recharge. The specialty of Airtel’s plans is that here you get all kinds of options from budget to premium, whether you just want OTT access or want to do continuous live streaming with high data.
1. Airtel’s Rs 48 plan
This is Airtel’s new and extremely affordable data voucher, which is specially designed for those users who just want OTT access at a low cost. In this plan you get 1GB 4G data, whose validity is 1 month. However, it does not provide any service validity (calling/SMS), hence it works as an add-on voucher. Its biggest feature is that it comes with 1 month JioHotstar mobile subscription, through which you can watch live matches of IPL. If you are already using a base plan and want only OTT access, then this is the cheapest and smart option.
2. Airtel’s Rs 100 plan
Airtel’s Rs 100 data pack is for users who want OTT access for short periods of time. 6GB data is available in this pack and its validity is 30 days. In this plan, mobile and TV subscription of JioHotstar is given for 30 days. Internet does not stop after the data is exhausted, rather it is charged at the rate of 50 paise per MB. Therefore, if your data usage is high, the expenses may increase. This pack will also work only if there is already an active service validity on your number.
3. Airtel’s Rs 195 plan
Airtel’s Rs 195 data pack is suitable for those who want more validity and more data. A total of 12GB data is available in this pack and its validity is 30 days. With this plan also, mobile and TV subscription of JioHotstar is available for 30 days, so that you can watch the initial matches of IPL without any interruption. Not only this, you also get subscription to Airtel Extreme Play, in which you can access more than 20 OTT platforms. After the data is exhausted, 50 paise per MB charge is applicable. This pack is also a data voucher and requires an active base plan.
4. Airtel’s Rs 449 plan
If you watch matches daily and need more data, then the ₹449 plan is a great option. In this you get 4GB data daily, which is enough for HD or Full HD streaming. You also get the benefit of unlimited 5G data (wherever available) and unlimited calling. This plan includes JioHotstar mobile access for 28 days, allowing you to watch matches uninterrupted for the entire month.
5. Airtel’s Rs 1,029 plan
If you do not want to recharge frequently, then the ₹1,029 plan is a better option for you. In this, 2GB data and unlimited 5G is available daily with a validity of 84 days. Also 3 months JioHotstar mobile subscription is also included. This plan is ideal for users who want to watch the entire IPL season without any interruption.
6. Airtel’s Rs 3,999 plan
This is an annual plan from Airtel, which is designed for heavy users. It offers 2.5GB data per day, unlimited calling and 1 year JioHotstar mobile subscription. If you want to enjoy not only IPL but also OTT content throughout the year, then this plan proves to be an all-in-one package.
Vodafone Idea Plans: How to Watch IPL 2026 for Free
Vi’s free JioHotstar plan
If you want to enjoy the Indian Premier League 2026 to the fullest and also want some extra data benefits, then Vodafone Idea i.e. Vi plans can be a great option for you. Vi offers its users not only OTT access but also extra benefits like Hero Unlimited, which offers unlimited data during off-peak hours. This means you can watch matches or highlights at night without worrying about running out of data.
1. Vi’s Rs 44 plan
Vodafone Idea’s Rs 44 data pack is currently considered to be the cheapest data pack in the country, in which OTT benefits are available. 1GB data is available in this pack and its validity is only 1 day. However, JioHotstar mobile subscription is given for 1 month. This pack is best for those users who want only OTT subscription at very low cost and the data requirement is less.
2. Vi’s Rs 101 plan
Vodafone Idea’s Rs 101 data pack is quite popular among budget users. This pack provides 5GB data and its validity is 30 days. The special thing about this plan is that JioHotstar mobile subscription is given for full 30 days.
3. Vi’s Rs 151 plan
Vi’s Rs 151 pack is for those users who want longer OTT validity with less data. A total of 4GB data is available in it and its validity is 90 days. JioHotstar mobile subscription is also available with this pack for 3 months. Due to less data, this pack is suitable for those who want to watch only important matches or highlights.
4. Vi’s Rs 169 plan
Vi’s Rs 169 data pack is considered to be the most balanced option in this segment. A total of 8GB data is available in it, whose validity is 90 days. JioHotstar mobile subscription is also available in this pack for 3 months. Due to more data, you can watch live matches as well as other sports and entertainment content.
5. Vi’s Rs 399 plan
If you watch matches daily and need daily data, then the ₹399 plan is a balanced option. In this you get 2GB data daily, along with unlimited calling and unlimited data for a few hours under “Hero Unlimited”. This plan includes 1 month JioHotstar mobile subscription with a validity of 28 days, so you can watch IPL matches throughout the month.
6. Vi’s Rs 994 plan
If you want to avoid frequent recharges, the ₹994 plan is a strong option. It has a validity of 84 days, during which you get the benefit of 2GB data and unlimited calling every day. With this, 3 months JioHotstar subscription is included, so that you can enjoy the entire IPL season without any hassle.
How to watch IPL 2026 for free?
First of all decide which network you are using – Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel or Vodafone Idea. After this choose a plan which includes JioHotstar subscription. After recharging, download JioHotstar app on your phone and open it. Now login with your mobile number. If your plan is active, the subscription will be activated automatically. After this you can easily watch live IPL matches.
Take care of data usage
If you are watching the match in 4K (Ultra HD), it can consume up to 10–12GB of data. Whereas 1080p streaming also consumes 2–3GB of data. If you do not have unlimited 5G, it would be better if you stream on Data Saver or Medium quality, so that you can watch the entire match without interruption.
Where to watch IPL 2026 live?
You can easily watch all the matches of Indian Premier League 2026 in India both online and on TV. Live streaming of all IPL 2026 matches is available on JioHotstar app and its official website. Here you can watch the match live on mobile, laptop or smart TV. If you prefer to watch live telecast matches on TV, IPL 2026 is being telecasted on these channels of Star Sports Network:
- Star Sports 1
- Star Sports 1 Hindi
- Star Sports 1 Tamil
- Star Sports 1 Telugu
- Star Sports 1 Kannada
Along with this, all the matches are also available in high-quality on the respective HD channels.
