Is IPL Free on JioHotstar? India Streaming FAQ
Not in full. In India, JioHotstar streams the IPL, but for IPL 2026 major outlets reported that only a short opening part of each live match is free; to keep watching you need a JioHotstar plan (from ₹79 a month on mobile) or a Jio, Airtel or Vi recharge that includes JioHotstar. Star Sports shows the IPL on TV if your cable or DTH pack includes it.
This page is for viewers in India. Plans and recharge packs change between seasons, so every claim below has a source and the date we checked it. Check the app or your operator before you pay.
Free or paid: the short answer
| Option | Free for a whole live match? | What you get | Status, notes & source |
|---|---|---|---|
| JioHotstar live match | No | A short opening part of each match is free; the rest needs a plan or a qualifying recharge. | ✓ Confirmed Financial Express ↗ · Checked 26 Sep 2026 |
| Free preview | Partly | A few minutes of each live match. | ? Unverified JioHotstar hasn’t published how long the free part is, so we don’t state a length. Sporting News ↗ · Checked 26 Sep 2026 |
| Jio recharge with JioHotstar | Paid as part of the recharge | Many Jio packs, including data add-ons, bundled JioHotstar for IPL 2026. | ✓ Confirmed Packs change often; check MyJio before recharging. Business Standard ↗ · Checked 26 Sep 2026 |
| Airtel recharge with JioHotstar | Paid as part of the recharge | Selected Airtel prepaid, postpaid and broadband plans bundled JioHotstar for IPL 2026. | ✓ Confirmed Check the Airtel Thanks app for current packs. Business Standard ↗ · Checked 26 Sep 2026 |
| Vi recharge with JioHotstar | Paid as part of the recharge | Reported by third-party guides; we haven’t confirmed a current Vi pack. | ? Unverified Check the Vi app. Daily Jagran ↗ · Checked 26 Sep 2026 |
| Star Sports on TV | Only if your pack includes it | Star Sports is the IPL’s TV broadcaster in India; you need a cable or DTH pack with Star Sports. | ✓ Confirmed Financial Express ↗ · Checked 26 Sep 2026 |
JioHotstar plans in India
| Plan | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly | Screens | Ads during live sport | Status, notes & source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | ₹79 | ₹149 | ₹499 | 1 mobile | Yes | ✓ Confirmed JioStar ↗ · Checked 26 Sep 2026 |
| Super | ₹149 | ₹349 | ₹1,099 | Up to 2 | Yes | ✓ Confirmed JioStar ↗ · Checked 26 Sep 2026 |
| Premium | ₹299 | ₹699 | ₹2,199 | Up to 4 | Yes | ✓ Confirmed Premium removes ads from entertainment, but live sport and other live shows still carry ads. JioStar ↗ · Checked 26 Sep 2026 |
Questions
Is IPL free on JioHotstar?
Not in full. For IPL 2026, outlets reported that only a short opening part of each live match was free; watching the whole match needs a JioHotstar plan or a Jio, Airtel or Vi recharge that includes JioHotstar.
What is the cheapest JioHotstar plan for watching IPL?
The Mobile plan: ₹79 a month, ₹149 a quarter or ₹499 a year, on one mobile phone (JioStar, for new subscribers from 28 January 2026).
Can I watch IPL free with a Jio, Airtel or Vi recharge?
The recharge includes JioHotstar, so you don’t pay separately, but it isn’t free: it’s part of the recharge price. Packs change often, so check your operator’s app first.
Is IPL free on Star Sports?
Only if your cable or DTH pack already includes Star Sports. It is not a free-to-air channel.
Does Premium remove ads from live IPL?
No. JioStar says Premium removes ads from entertainment, but live sport still carries ads.
What happened to free IPL on JioCinema?
JioCinema streamed the IPL free in 2023 and 2024. It merged with Disney+ Hotstar into JioHotstar in 2025, which moved to a paid model with a short free preview.
Can I watch IPL on JioHotstar outside India?
No. Rights are sold country by country, and JioHotstar’s IPL rights cover India. Use the licensed broadcaster in your country rather than a VPN.
How does Cricket On Air decide Confirmed or Unverified?
Confirmed means the broadcaster, platform, governing body or a major sports outlet says it. Unverified means only third-party guides say it, or reports disagree. Every row shows its source and the date we checked it.