Cricket

List of Double Headers in IPL History

A comprehensive history of double-header matches in the IPL, including the 2026 expansion.

8 itemsUpdated Mar 26, 2026

Double headers, often branded as 'Super Sundays', have been a staple of the IPL since 2008. They typically feature an afternoon clash at 3:30 PM IST followed by an evening blockbuster at 7:30 PM IST. The frequency of these days has fluctuated based on the number of teams and matches—peaking during the 10-team expansions. Notably, in 2020, the BCCI briefly experimented with removing Saturday double-headers to maximize prime-time viewership, but the format returned to accommodate the massive 84-match schedule of the 2026 season.

#	Name	Notable Fact	Total Matches	Total Double Headers
1	2026 Season 84 Matches Total The longest season in history requires a heavy double-header schedule to fit the window.	Final scheduled for May 31 in Bengaluru.	84	TBD (4 in Phase 1)
2	2025 Season 74 Matches Total The season that saw RCB finally lift their first-ever trophy.	Featured a revised schedule in May due to logistics.	74	12
3	2023 Season Joint Record for Double Headers The first year returning to the full home-and-away format after the pandemic.	Standardized the 10-team group format.	74	18
4	2020 Season The UAE Lockdown Season Played entirely in the UAE with no Saturday double-headers for most of the tournament.	Final was held on a Tuesday for the first time.	60	10
5	2013 Season The 9-Team Era One of the busiest schedules before the 10-team expansion.	Featured the defunct Pune Warriors India.	76	16
6	2011 Season First 10-Team Expansion The league reached its previous peak match count (74) with Kochi and Pune joining.	Highest number of double headers in a single season (shar...	74	18
7	2009 Season South Africa Roadshow Organized in just 21 days, requiring constant double headers to finish on time.	The most compact schedule in IPL history.	59	18
8	2008 Season The Inaugural Year The blueprint for the modern weekend double-header was born.	Started the tradition of 'Super Sunday'.	59	14

This list is compiled from verified public records and reference sources. Last verified: March 26, 2026.

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