New Delhi, India — March 11, 2026
IPL 2026 Schedule Announced: Season 19 Begins March 28 With RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Opener
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the first phase schedule for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), confirming that the 19th season of the tournament will begin on March 28, 2026.
The opening match will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, marking the start of another season of the world’s most popular franchise T20 league.
The announcement has generated excitement among cricket fans as teams prepare for the highly anticipated competition.
RCB to Begin IPL 2026 as Defending Champions
Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter the new season as defending champions, after winning their first IPL title in 2025 by defeating Punjab Kings in the final.
RCB is expected to play five group-stage matches at its home venue, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The final confirmation for the venue schedule will be reviewed by an expert committee, with approval expected after March 13.
With the home crowd behind them, RCB will aim to start their title defense on a strong note.
Why the IPL 2026 Schedule Was Delayed
The announcement of the IPL schedule was delayed due to upcoming state assembly elections in several Indian states.
Among the states involved are:
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Assam
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West Bengal
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Tamil Nadu
Some IPL venues are located in these states, including Kolkata and Chennai, which serve as home grounds for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) respectively.
Meanwhile, Guwahati will continue to serve as the secondary home venue for Rajasthan Royals.
The election schedule plays an important role in determining security arrangements and match logistics.
IPL 2026 First Phase Match Schedule
The first phase of the tournament includes 20 matches across multiple cities in India.
| Match | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | March 28 |
| 2 | Mumbai Indians | Kolkata Knight Riders | Mumbai | March 29 |
| 3 | Rajasthan Royals | Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati | March 30 |
| 4 | Punjab Kings | Gujarat Titans | New Chandigarh | March 31 |
| 5 | Lucknow Super Giants | Delhi Capitals | Lucknow | April 1 |
| 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata | April 2 |
| 7 | Chennai Super Kings | Punjab Kings | Chennai | April 3 |
| 8 | Delhi Capitals | Mumbai Indians | Delhi | April 4 |
| 9 | Gujarat Titans | Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | April 4 |
| 10 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Lucknow Super Giants | Hyderabad | April 5 |
| 11 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | April 5 |
| 12 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Punjab Kings | Kolkata | April 6 |
| 13 | Rajasthan Royals | Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | April 7 |
| 14 | Delhi Capitals | Gujarat Titans | Delhi | April 8 |
| 15 | Kolkata Knight Riders | Lucknow Super Giants | Kolkata | April 9 |
| 16 | Rajasthan Royals | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati | April 10 |
| 17 | Punjab Kings | Sunrisers Hyderabad | New Chandigarh | April 11 |
| 18 | Chennai Super Kings | Delhi Capitals | Chennai | April 11 |
| 19 | Lucknow Super Giants | Gujarat Titans | Lucknow | April 12 |
| 20 | Mumbai Indians | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Mumbai | April 12 |
Global Cricket Attention on IPL 2026
The Indian Premier League continues to attract massive audiences worldwide, bringing together leading international players and some of the biggest cricket stars.
With the defending champions RCB starting the tournament at home, the opening match in Bengaluru is expected to draw huge attention from fans across the globe.
More details about the remaining fixtures and playoff schedule are expected to be released by the BCCI soon.
