IPL 2026 First-Phase Schedule Unveiled

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the first-phase schedule for IPL 2026, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set to kick off their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28.

The initial phase comprises 20 matches scheduled until April 12, with the remainder of the season to be finalized after the announcement of election dates for poll-bound states, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam.

🚨 News 🚨

Presenting the schedule for the first 20 matches of #TATAIPL 2026, to be played from March 28 to April 12, 2026 🗓️

Full schedule will be announced once poll dates are announced for three states set to undergo State Assembly elections.

More details ▶️… pic.twitter.com/8Iq492v8TE

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 11, 2026

Following the season opener, two-time winners Mumbai Indians will host Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29. The following night, Rajasthan Royals face Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati, a fixture loaded with subplots as Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja prepare to face their former franchises following a high-profile off-season trade that also involved Sam Curran.

The first phase features double-headers on weekends, with RCB taking on CSK in Bengaluru on April 5, and Mumbai Indians hosting RCB on April 12.

Rajasthan Royals will play all three of their home matches in this phase at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati before shifting to Jaipur for their remaining fixtures. Punjab Kings will split their home games between Mullanpur (four matches) and Dharamsala (three matches). As previously confirmed, RCB will play two home games in Raipur.

The BCCI release noted that matches scheduled in Bengaluru are subject to clearance from an Expert Committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka. The committee will inspect the stadium on March 13, conducting a full-scale mock demonstration to assess preparedness following last year’s tragic stampede.

The IPL 2026 season is scheduled to conclude on May 31.

Key Details

• Start Date: 28 March 2026
• Teams: 10 Franchises
• Match Times (IST): Afternoon matches: 3:30 PM, Evening matches: 7:30 PM

IPL 2026 Schedule: Full Match List, Dates, and Venues

Date	Match	Start Time	Venue
March 28, Saturday	Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
March 29, Sunday	Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders	7:30 PM	Mumbai
March 30, Monday	Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings	7:30 PM	Guwahati
March 31, Tuesday	Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans	7:30 PM	Mullanpur
April 1, Wednesday	Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals	7:30 PM	Lucknow
April 2, Thursday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	7:30 PM	Kolkata
April 3, Friday	Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings	7:30 PM	Chennai
April 4, Saturday	Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians	3:30 PM	Delhi
April 4, Saturday	Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals	7:30 PM	Ahmedabad
April 5, Sunday	Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants	3:30 PM	Hyderabad
April 5, Sunday	Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
April 6, Monday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings	7:30 PM	Kolkata
April 7, Tuesday	Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians	7:30 PM	Guwahati
April 8, Wednesday	Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans	7:30 PM	Delhi
April 9, Thursday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants	7:30 PM	Kolkata
April 10, Friday	Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	7:30 PM	Guwahati
April 11, Saturday	Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	3:30 PM	Mullanpur
April 11, Saturday	Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals	7:30 PM	Chennai
April 12, Sunday	Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans	3:30 PM	Lucknow
April 12, Sunday	Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	7:30 PM	Mumbai

                                               

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