IPL 2026 To Begin With RCB vs SRH On March 28; BCCI Announces First-Phase Schedule
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The opening phase of the 19th IPL season will feature 20 matches across 10 cities from March 28 to April 12.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the first phase schedule for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening match on March 28 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The first phase of the 19th edition of the tournament will run from March 28 to April 12, during which 20 matches will be played across 10 cities. The remaining fixtures of the tournament will be announced later because assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam are scheduled during the same period.
According to the IPL governing council, the season will still follow its usual format, with 74 matches expected to be played overall.
The opening weekend promises high-profile encounters. On March 29, Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Mumbai, while Rajasthan Royals (RR) will face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati on March 30.
During the first phase, matches will be held in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
The schedule also includes four double-header days, while the remaining days will feature single matches.
Key Matches In The First Phase (March 28 – April 12)
- March 28: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Bengaluru
- March 29: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Mumbai
- March 30: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings – Guwahati
- March 31: Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans – Mullanpur
- April 1: Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals – Lucknow
- April 2: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Kolkata
- April 3: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings – Chennai
- April 4: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians – Delhi
- April 4: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals – Ahmedabad
- April 5: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants – Hyderabad
- April 5: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings – Bengaluru
- April 6: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings – Kolkata
- April 7: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians – Guwahati
- April 8: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans – Delhi
- April 9: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants – Kolkata
- April 10: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Guwahati
- April 11: Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Mullanpur
- April 11: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals – Chennai
- April 12: Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans – Lucknow
- April 12: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Mumbai
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is expected to host several matches this season, including some of RCB’s home fixtures. The venue could also stage a playoff match and the IPL final, subject to final approvals from local authorities and the expert review committee overseeing safety arrangements.
RCB enter the new season as defending champions after winning their maiden IPL title last year, ending a long wait for the franchise and giving fans fresh hope heading into the 2026 campaign.
