IPL live stream: how to watch 2022 Indian Premier League cricket playoffs from anywhere

last updated 23 May 2022

The playoffs are set, and both expansion teams have made the cut

(Image: © Shutterstock)

When the Gujarat Titans and the Lucknow Super Giants entered the six-hitting, bail-illuminating, death-bowling fray that is Indian Premier League cricket at the beginning of the season, few expected them to be two of the last four standing. But here they are, vying with the Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2022 IPL title, in one of the unlikeliest playoff lineups in the competition's history. Read on as we explain how to get a 2022 IPL live stream and watch every match of the playoffs online from anywhere.

IPL live stream 2022

Dates: Saturday, March 26 - Sunday, May 29

Reigning champions: Chennai Super Kings

FREE live stream: Kayo Sports FREE trial (opens in new tab) (AU)

Global live streams: Sky Sports (opens in new tab) (UK) | Sky Sport (opens in new tab) (NZ) | ESPN Plus (opens in new tab)/Willow TV (opens in new tab) via Sling TV (US) | Disney Plus Hotstar (opens in new tab) (IN)

Watch anywhere: Try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free (opens in new tab)

Of the quartet, only the Royals have ever lifted the IPL trophy before, and that was all the way back in 2008, when the Indian Premier League was in its infancy. Is this finally the year for RCB, who have been runners up three times? They snuck into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, and what a story it would be if Virat Kohli was to finally get his hands on the prize that has eluded him for so long.

They've got momentum on their side but so do the Super Giants who roar into the playoffs off the back of a Quinton de Kock century and a qualification-sealing victory that took them to the very brink.

And it's only going to get more chaotic from here! It's world class cricket played at 150kph, and you can follow our Indian Premier League cricket guide for all you need to know to find a 2022 IPL live stream and watch every game from anywhere in the world. We've also listed the 2022 IPL playoff schedule below.

2022 IPL playoff schedule

All times given in BST

Tuesday, May 24

Qualifier 1 - Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals - 3pm

Wednesday, May 25

Eliminator - Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - 3pm

Friday, May 27

Qualifier 2 - Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator - 3pm

Sunday, May 29

2022 IPL FINAL - 3.30pm

How to watch Indian Premier League: live stream IPL 2022 cricket online in India

Star Sports (opens in new tab) has the rights to the 2022 IPL, with subscribers in India able to watch all the action live either via the Star Sports TV channels or by getting a Disney+ Hotstar Premium streaming subscription (opens in new tab) from just 499 rupees for a year of the mobile-only plan, or 1,499 rupees for its Premium package that lets you watch across up to four devices and makes 4K available.

Star Sports 1/1 HD will have English commentary, with coverage also appearing on 1 Hindi/1 Hindi HD, Star Sports Kannada, Star Sports Tamil, and Star Sports Telugu.

Those of you wanting to live stream games on the move will need to use the Hotstar app (opens in new tab) - available via the web, Android, iOS, and Apple TV.

Star Sports also has rights to international cricket, Formula 1, tennis majors, and Major League Baseball.

The best data plans to catch all the live action (India-only)

How to watch IPL cricket from outside your country

Below we've got you covered with your official broadcasting options for major cricket loving countries (and the US!), but if you're outside your country of residence - whether that's India, the UK or anywhere else - and try to start streaming the cricket via your local broadcaster, you'll soon discover that you can't, as it's location restricted. But there is a way to tune in regardless.

By downloading and installing a VPN, you can effectively trick your computer into thinking that it's back at home. That way you can enjoy your home coverage without having to find an illegal stream - assuming you comply with the broadcaster's fine print, of course - specifically its terms and conditions.

Use a VPN to live stream IPL cricket from anywhere

ExpressVPN is the world's top VPN right now (opens in new tab)
We've taken the time to try out all the biggest VPN providers and we found ExpressVPN to be the pick of the bunch. It works with lots of devices and offers super fast connections across its many servers.

Throw in its robust set of security features and ExpressVPN is the best all-round VPN for streaming - and perhaps best of all, it has a 30-day money back guarantee plus 3 months FREE when you subscribe for a year.

Access ExpressVPN via your laptop, iPhone, tablet, Android phone, PlayStation, Xbox and plenty more. Express is a do-it-all service that also benefits from 24/7 customer support.

- Try ExpressVPN 100% risk-free for 30 days (opens in new tab)

How to live stream IPL cricket for FREE in Australia

Cricket fans Down Under can watch IPL cricket on Fox Sports and via Foxtel (opens in new tab).

If you don't have Fox as part of a pay TV package, your best option is to sign up for the excellent Kayo Sports (opens in new tab) streaming service.

It features no lock-in contracts from $25 a month and gives you access to over 50 other sports including the NRL, soccer, F1, NFL... the list goes on! Handy if you don't want to go all-out on Fox.

Better still, Kayo offers a FREE two-week trial (opens in new tab)!

Outside Australia right now? You can take your cricket coverage abroad with you as well. For those wanting to watch home coverage of sports from overseas, make sure you subscribe to the best VPN available.

How to watch IPL cricket in the UK

You can watch every game of the 2022 IPL season via Sky Sports (opens in new tab) and its dedicated Sky Sports Cricket channel.

Sky Sports subscribers can watch the cricket on the go on mobile devices via the Sky Go streaming service, which has dedicated apps for iOS, iPadOS and Android devices, along with Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

If you want to sign up, you can check out our dedicated guide to Sky TV deals and packages for today's best prices.

Don't fancy being locked in to a long, expensive contract? Consider the more flexible streaming option, Now, (formerly Now TV).

To access your usual streaming service from outside the UK, you'll need to download a good VPN (opens in new tab), as detailed above.

MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in IPL uniforms — (Image credit: ESPN)

How to watch IPL: live stream cricket in the US (and Canada)

For a nation that traditionally isn't interested in cricket, fans in the US have several options to live stream the IPL this season.

It's being shown by dedicated live cricket channel Willow TV (opens in new tab) (in Canada too!), which is available from a number of cable providers including Dish, Spectrum, Xfinity, Verizon Fios and more.

Not got cable? No worries, as Willow TV is also accessible via OTT provider Sling TV across a range of devices. There are options to pay just for Willow (from $5 a month), or add it to your existing Sling plan. You can check out your options and sign up on its website (opens in new tab).

Alternatively, there's ESPN Plus, which is also live streaming all of this season's IPL action. Monthly plans cost $6.99 a month, while the cost-saving annual subscription is priced at $69.99 a year.

But for the ultimate value, grab a combined ESPN+, Hulu and Disney Plus bundle for just $13.99 a month, which gets you loads of great entertainment and family-friendly content in addition to all that fantastic sports action.

How to watch IPL: live stream cricket in New Zealand

Can I watch an IPL live stream in Pakistan?

Relations between Pakistan and India continue to be fractious to say the least, and one of the results is that the IPL is once again not being broadcast in Pakistan. Very disappointing news for the cricket-mad nation.

Your best bet, therefore, may be to use one of the best streaming VPNs to tap into coverage from a different country, as described above.

The software is generally ideal for this as it allows you to change your IP address and appear to be in a completely different location - and all through a safe, encrypted connection. But do bear in mind that most paid streaming services do require a credit card based in the same country as the service.

Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.

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