IPL 2026 Schedule Announced: RCB vs SRH to Open Season on March 28, BCCI Confirms First Phase Fixtures
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the first-phase schedule for the Indian Premier League 2026, confirming that the tournament will begin on March 28, 2026, and run until April 12, 2026.
The 19th edition of the IPL, widely considered the world’s largest T20 cricket league, will begin with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
However, the BCCI clarified that only the first phase of the schedule has been announced because several Indian states will conduct State Assembly elections during the IPL window. The full tournament schedule will be released after the election dates are finalized.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 28 | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| March 29 | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| April 4 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| April 4 | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| More matches to be announced after election schedule confirmation | |||
IPL 2026 to Begin with RCB vs SRH Blockbuster
The opening match of IPL 2026 will feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
- Date: March 28, 2026
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
The match will mark the beginning of what promises to be another high-octane IPL season filled with star players, packed stadiums, and global attention.
RCB will start their title defense in front of their home crowd, making the opener one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
Total Matches and Host Cities in Phase 1
According to the BCCI announcement, 20 matches will be played during the first phase of IPL 2026 across 10 different venues in India.
Host Cities
- Bengaluru
- Mumbai
- Guwahati
- New Chandigarh
- Lucknow
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Ahmedabad
- Hyderabad
These venues represent some of the most iconic cricket stadiums in India, ensuring fans across the country get to witness live IPL action.
Match Timings and Double Headers
The tournament will feature four double-header days, where fans will enjoy two matches in a single day.
Match Start Times
- Afternoon Matches: 3:30 PM IST
- Evening Matches: 7:30 PM IST
Double headers are among the most exciting days of the IPL season because they deliver non-stop cricket entertainment from afternoon to night.
Second Match of IPL 2026
Following the opening game in Bengaluru, the second match of the season will see Mumbai Indians face Kolkata Knight Riders at the famous Wankhede Stadium.
- Match: MI vs KKR
- Date: March 29, 2026
- Venue: Mumbai
This clash features two of the most successful IPL franchises, making it another must-watch encounter.
First Double Header of IPL 2026
The first double-header of the season will take place on April 4, 2026.
Afternoon Match
- Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium
- Time: 3:30 PM IST
Evening Match
- Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
Both matches are expected to attract massive viewership as several international stars will be in action.
Rajasthan Royals to Start Home Games in Guwahati
The Rajasthan Royals will begin their home campaign in Guwahati, where they will host:
- Chennai Super Kings
- Mumbai Indians
Later in the season, Rajasthan Royals will move their remaining home matches to Jaipur.
Punjab Kings Home Fixtures
The Punjab Kings will play their early home matches at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Overall home match distribution:
- 4 matches: New Chandigarh
- 3 matches: Dharamshala
This arrangement allows Punjab fans across two major cricket venues to enjoy IPL action.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Home Matches
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play:
- 5 home matches in Bengaluru
- 2 home matches in Raipur
The Bengaluru matches will take place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, one of the most electric cricket venues in the IPL.
Bengaluru Matches Await Government Clearance
The matches scheduled in Bengaluru will depend on approval from an expert committee formed by the Government of Karnataka.
The committee will conduct:
- Stadium inspection
- Security review
- Mock match-day operations drill
The inspection is scheduled for March 13, 2026, when officials will evaluate whether the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is fully prepared for IPL matches.
Why IPL 2026 Schedule Was Released in Phases
The BCCI released the schedule in two phases due to upcoming State Assembly elections in India.
Elections require heavy deployment of security forces and administrative resources, which can affect large sporting events like the IPL.
To ensure smooth logistics and security, the BCCI decided to:
- Announce the first phase schedule
- Release the remaining fixtures after election dates are finalized
What Makes IPL 2026 Special
The 19th edition of the IPL is expected to be one of the most competitive seasons in league history.
Fans can expect:
- Explosive batting performances
- World-class bowlers
- Packed stadiums across India
- Intense rivalries between top franchises
With 20 matches scheduled in the opening phase, the IPL will deliver non-stop cricket entertainment right from the start.
