New Delhi, March 12 — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule for the opening phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, confirming that the tournament will begin on March 28 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The league’s governing body released fixtures for the first phase of the season, which will run from March 28 to April 12, with the remaining schedule to be announced later. Officials said the staggered release is due to upcoming state assembly elections in several Indian states during the tournament period.
The opening game will feature the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad in a high-profile evening clash in Bengaluru. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm IST and will mark the start of the 19th edition of the IPL, one of the world’s most watched T20 cricket leagues.
Early Fixtures and Key Matches
The tournament will continue the following day with Mumbai Indians facing Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29. The third match of the season is scheduled for March 30, when Rajasthan Royals will take on Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati.
The first phase of the IPL season will feature 20 matches played across 10 venues, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Chennai, Hyderabad, and New Chandigarh.
Among the notable fixtures during this period is the Southern Derby between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings on April 5, which is expected to draw significant attention from fans across India.
Schedule Released in Phases
According to officials, the IPL governing council opted to release the schedule in stages because assembly elections are scheduled in several states, which could affect security arrangements and venue availability. The remaining fixtures will be confirmed once the election calendar is finalized.
Despite the phased announcement, the tournament format remains unchanged. The 2026 season will feature 10 teams competing in a double round-robin league followed by playoffs, with the tournament expected to run until May 31.
| No | Match | Date | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RCB vs SRH | 28 Mar | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| 2 | MI vs KKR | 29 Mar | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
| 3 | RR vs CSK | 30 Mar | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| 4 | PBKS vs GT | 31 Mar | 7:30 PM | Mullanpur |
| 5 | LSG vs DC | 1 Apr | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| 6 | KKR vs SRH | 2 Apr | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| 7 | CSK vs PBKS | 3 Apr | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| 8 | DC vs MI | 4 Apr | 3:30 PM | Delhi |
| 9 | GT vs RR | 4 Apr | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| 10 | SRH vs LSG | 5 Apr | 3:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| 11 | RCB vs CSK | 5 Apr | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| 12 | KKR vs PBKS | 6 Apr | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| 13 | RR vs MI | 7 Apr | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| 14 | DC vs GT | 8 Apr | 7:30 PM | Delhi |
| 15 | KKR vs LSG | 9 Apr | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| 16 | RR vs RCB | 10 Apr | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| 17 | PBKS vs SRH | 11 Apr | 3:30 PM | Mullanpur |
| 18 | CSK vs DC | 11 Apr | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| 19 | LSG vs GT | 12 Apr | 3:30 PM | Lucknow |
| 20 | MI vs RCB | 12 Apr | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
Stadium Safety and Preparations
Matches scheduled in Bengaluru are subject to final approval from a government-appointed expert committee that will inspect the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and assess match-day preparedness before the tournament begins. Officials are expected to conduct a full-scale mock drill and safety review before confirming the venue clearance.
Looking Ahead
With the schedule now partially confirmed, teams are expected to begin final preparations for the new season. The IPL remains one of cricket’s most commercially successful competitions, attracting global audiences and some of the sport’s biggest players.
Further fixtures and playoff details are expected to be announced once the election schedule is finalized.
