Vijay Hazare Trophy Schedule 2025-26: Complete Fixtures, Teams, and Knockout Dates

The Vijay Hazare Trophy schedule 2025-26 covers matches from December 24, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across multiple venues.

This domestic one-day tournament features 38 teams competing in a 50-over format.

Teams are divided into Elite Groups and a Plate Group based on their past performance and strength.

Big names like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to play for their state teams.

The tournament serves as a key platform for domestic players to showcase their skills.

Strong performances here can lead to selection in India A or the national squad.

Karnataka enters as defending champions, having won the 2023-24 edition.

The tournament format includes group-stage matches followed by knockout rounds.

Elite Group teams compete among themselves, while Plate Group teams fight for promotion chances.

Vijay Hazare Trophy Schedule 2025-26

This article provides the complete fixture list, venue details, and qualification criteria.

We cover all match dates, group divisions, and the path to the final.

The information helps fans, fantasy cricket users, and selectors track the competition throughout the tournament.

Vijay Hazare Trophy Groups 2025-26

Teams are split into five groups for the league stage. Elite Groups A, B, C, and D consist of stronger, established state teams. The Plate Group includes newer or developing cricket associations.

Elite Group teams play round-robin matches within their respective groups.

The top performers from each Elite Group qualify for the knockout stage. Plate Group teams compete separately, with the winner earning a chance to face Elite teams in later rounds.

This structure maintains competitive balance across the tournament. It gives every team fair opportunities while ensuring quality cricket in the knockout stages.

Vijay Hazare Trophy Schedule 2025-26: Complete Match Fixtures

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026 venue list includes Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Alur, and Ranchi.

Group matches run from December 24, 2025, to January 8, 2026. Teams play multiple matches within their groups before the knockout rounds begin.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Friday, December 26, 2025

Monday, December 29, 2025

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Knockout Stage Schedule

The knockout rounds take place in Bengaluru from January 12-18, 2026. Eight teams qualify from the group stage for the quarterfinals. Winners advance through the semifinals to reach the final.

Qualification Process for Knockouts

The qualification system determines which teams advance from the group stage to the knockout rounds. Points are awarded based on match results during the league phase.

Points System

Elite Group Qualification

Each Elite Group conducts round-robin matches among its eight teams.

The top team from each Elite Group (A, B, C, D) qualifies directly for the quarterfinals. Some formats allow second-placed teams to enter as pre-quarterfinalists based on net run rate.

Teams accumulate points through wins and bonus points. Net run rate serves as the tiebreaker when teams finish with equal points. A higher net run rate provides better seeding in knockout draws.

Plate Group Qualification

The Plate Group operates separately with six teams competing. Teams play round-robin matches within this group. The winner of the Plate Group final qualifies for the quarterfinal stage.

The Plate Group champion also earns promotion to the Elite Group for the next season. This system rewards strong performances from developing cricket associations. It maintains competitive balance across tournament editions.

Knockout Structure

Eight teams enter the quarterfinal stage through group qualifications. Quarterfinals are single-elimination matches with no second chances. The four quarterfinal winners advance to the semifinals.

Semifinal winners meet in the final to determine the champion. All knockout matches follow standard 50-over List A cricket rules. The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026 squad announcements happen closer to the tournament dates.

Key Facts About Vijay Hazare Trophy

• The tournament started in the 2002-03 season as India’s premier domestic one-day competition
• Named after legendary Indian cricketer Vijay Hazare
• First winner: Tamil Nadu (2002-03 season)
• Most successful team: Karnataka with 5 titles
• Previous champion: Karnataka (2023-24 edition)
• Highest runs in a single season: Narayan Jagadeesan – 830 runs (2022-23)
• Highest individual score: Sanju Samson – 212 runs for Kerala
• Most career runs: Ankit Bawne – 4,010 runs
• Most career wickets: Siddharth Kaul – 155 wickets
• Format: 50-over List A cricket matches
• Selection platform: Players perform here to earn India A and national team calls
• The Vijay Hazare Trophy Punjab captain leads the Punjab team in Elite Group C matches
• Each team announces its Vijay Hazare Trophy squads before the tournament begins

Tournament Significance and Format

The Vijay Hazare Trophy schedule 2025-26 represents a crucial period for domestic cricket in India.

This tournament provides state teams with competitive match practice in the 50-over format.

Players use this platform to demonstrate their abilities to national selectors.

The tournament structure ensures competitive balance through group divisions.

Elite Group teams face each other regularly, maintaining high-quality cricket standards.

Plate Group teams gain valuable experience while competing for Elite Group promotion.

Karnataka enters as the favorites after their dominant 2023-24 campaign.

However, teams like Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, and Bengal possess strong squads capable of winning.

The presence of international players adds star value and raises match intensity.

The knockout stage in Bengaluru creates a neutral venue advantage.

Teams must peak at the right time to succeed in elimination rounds.

Single-match knockouts increase pressure and test player composure under crucial situations.

This schedule helps fans plan their viewing across the month-long tournament.

Fantasy cricket users can track player performances through group stage statistics.

Selectors monitor consistent performers who deliver across multiple matches rather than single-game brilliance.

Also Check:

• Cooch Behar Trophy 2025-26
• Ranji Trophy Winners & Runners-Up List 1934–2025