The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular T20 cricket leagues in the world. With its high-octane matches, star-studded teams, and electric atmosphere, the IPL has captured the imagination of cricket fans globally since its inception in 2008.
However, watching the IPL action live on TV can be expensive due to channel subscriptions. Thankfully, several Android apps allow you to stream IPL matches entirely for free – as long as you have a working internet connection!
Best Android Apps to Watch IPL for Free 2024
In this comprehensive guide, we discuss the top Android apps to stream and watch IPL cricket matches for free in 2024.
Also Learn: How To Create A Winning IPL Fantasy Cricket League Team
Why Stream IPL Matches on Mobile Devices?
Here are some key reasons to stream IPL on your Android smartphone or tablet:
- It’s free! Unlike paid cable/satellite TV services, these Android apps don’t charge any subscription fees.
- Watch anywhere, anytime – Stream matches on-the-go, without needing a TV. Useful for frequent travelers and busy professionals.
- No contracts or commitments – No long term contracts. Cancel/re-subscribe anytime!
- New season, new winner? – The IPL is hugely competitive. A new team could lift the trophy in 2024!
So if you wish to watch the next IPL season for free on your Android device, read on!
Top 5 Best Android Apps to Stream IPL 2024 for Free
1. Disney+ Hotstar
Disney+ Hotstar is arguably the best IPL streaming platform, providing comprehensive coverage of the cash-rich T20 league.
Key Features:
- Official digital streaming partner for the IPL
- Live streams every IPL 2024 match for free with a 5 minute delay
- In-depth match analysis, commentary, and highlights
- Curated IPL-centric shows, interviews and documentaries
- Personalized recommendations based on your favorite team(s)
- Available in 5 Indian languages – Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada
Disney+ Hotstar offers the most holistic and complete IPL viewing experience. While streaming has a brief lag, it is still free – making the app a top choice for IPL fans in India.
Download: Disney+ Hotstar App
2. Airtel Xstream
Airtel Xstream is another excellent option for streaming IPL matches freely.
Why Choose Airtel Xstream:
- Over 350+ live TV channels including sports
- Scales video quality automatically based on your connection
- Built-in support for Chromecast streaming
- Available for free to Airtel mobile/broadband subscribers
- Intuitive interface with profiles, watchlist, and content categories
- Stream on 5 devices simultaneously with a single account
If you are currently on an Airtel connection, this app offers you complimentary access to IPL action on your Android smartphone/tablet. With robust streaming capabilities, it is a recommended choice.
Download: Airtel Xstream App
3. JioTV
Owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s juggernaut Reliance Jio, JioTV grants you access to over 650+ TV channels spanning 14+ languages.
Core Features of JioTV:
- Seamlessly switches video quality depending on Internet speed
- Control streaming remotely from your smartphone
- Simultaneous streaming allowed on 5 devices per account
- Personalized recommendations for new shows & movies
- Available exclusively for Jio prepaid/postpaid subscribers
- Free access to premium content worth ₹1,200 for select plans
Jio mobile/broadband consumers reap the maximum benefit from this app. For Jio users, streaming high-profile tournaments like the IPL doesn’t hurt their pockets one bit!
Download: JioCinema App
4. Thop TV
While not available officially on the Google Play Store, Thop TV has become a cult favorite for live TV streaming.
Let’s check why:
- Provides 5000+ channels spanning 30+ countries
- Free unlimited streaming devoid of ads or time limits
- Includes dedicated sports channels showing cricket, kabaddi etc.
- Available in multiple Indic languages besides English
- Compatible with external players and Chromecast devices
- Actively maintained and updated by developers
By installing from third-party app stores, you can unlock free and unlimited access to premium sports and entertainment content via Thop TV. It is worth exploring for avid IPL followers.
Download: ThopTV
5. RedBox TV
Despite being mired in piracy controversies, RedBox TV continues satiating users seeking free and limitless video streaming.
Let us summarize the main pros of this app:
- 1000+ live channels spanning news, sports, movies, and more
- Basic navigation with options to favorite channels
- External player support to play media files
- Updated periodically with the latest theatrical releases
- Ad-free watching experience across categories
- According to fans, streams of high-quality content reliably
RedBox TV presents an extensive assortment of Indian and international media to consume freely. Being an illegal app with a sketchy provenance, downloading it does entail certain risks. We recommend exercising due discretion before installing it.
Download: RedBox TV
Typical IPL Broadcast Timings
The IPL tournament occurs annually between March and May. Typically, the live broadcast of matches happens during these hours on streaming apps:
- Afternoons: Matches scheduled from 3 PM to 6 PM IST are broadcast.
- Prime-time: Evening encounters from 8 PM to 11 PM IST are shown.
So if you wish to catch the free IPL action on mobile apps, ensure you are available during the abovementioned hours typically.
