BCCI announces IPL 2026 schedule with RCB vs SRH opener on March 28, while MI, CSK and seven other franchises play in first phase fixtures
New Delhi: The schedule for the first phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has been announced, giving fans details about the opening matches of all ten teams. The 19th season of the tournament will begin on March 28, 2026, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has only issued the first phase of the schedule at this time. This phase will take place from March 28 to April 12. The board will announce the remaining matches later.
The IPL 2026 season will include 10 teams and 84 matches, with the final match planned for May 31, 2026.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Matches
The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will begin their championship defence in the tournament’s first match.
RCB early matches
- March 28 – RCB vs SRH (Bengaluru)
- April 5 – RCB vs CSK (Bengaluru)
- April 10 – RR vs RCB (Guwahati)
- April 12 – MI vs RCB (Mumbai)
Mumbai Indians Matches
Mumbai Indians, the five-time winners, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign one day after the first match.
MI early matches
- March 29 – MI vs KKR (Mumbai)
- April 4 – Delhi Capitals vs MI (Delhi)
- April 7 – Rajasthan Royals vs MI (Guwahati)
- April 12 – MI vs RCB (Mumbai)
Chennai Super Kings Matches
Another five-time IPL champion, Chennai Super Kings, will begin their season against Rajasthan Royals.
CSK early matches
- March 30 – Rajasthan Royals vs CSK (Guwahati)
- April 3 – CSK vs Punjab Kings (Chennai)
- April 5 – RCB vs CSK (Bengaluru)
- April 11 – CSK vs Delhi Capitals (Chennai)
Kolkata Knight Riders Matches
The Kolkata Knight Riders, two-time champions, will also play vital matches in the tournament’s first phase.
KKR early matches
- March 29 – Mumbai Indians vs KKR (Mumbai)
- April 2 – KKR vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Kolkata)
- April 6 – KKR vs Punjab Kings (Kolkata)
- April 9 – KKR vs LSG (Kolkata)
Sunrisers Hyderabad Matches
Sunrisers Hyderabad will play the first match of the IPL 2026 season.
SRH early matches
- March 28 – RCB vs SRH (Bengaluru)
- April 2 – KKR vs SRH (Kolkata)
- April 5 – SRH vs LSG (Hyderabad)
- April 11 – Punjab Kings vs SRH (Mullanpur)
Gujarat Titans Matches
The Gujarat Titans will begin their season against Punjab Kings.
GT early matches
- March 31 – Punjab Kings vs GT (Mullanpur)
- April 4 – GT vs Rajasthan Royals (Ahmedabad)
- April 8 – Delhi Capitals vs GT (Delhi)
- April 12 – LSG vs GT (Lucknow)
Rajasthan Royals Matches
The Rajasthan Royals’ campaign will begin with a match against CSK.
RR early matches
- March 30 – RR vs CSK (Guwahati)
- April 4 – Gujarat Titans vs RR (Ahmedabad)
- April 7 – RR vs Mumbai Indians (Guwahati)
- April 10 – RR vs RCB (Guwahati)
Delhi Capitals Matches
The Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL first season match against LSG.
DC early matches
- April 1 – LSG vs DC (Lucknow)
- April 4 – DC vs Mumbai Indians (Delhi)
- April 8 – DC vs Gujarat Titans (Delhi)
- April 11 – CSK vs DC (Chennai)
Also Read: IPL 2026: All You Need to Know Before the Season Begins
Punjab Kings Matches
The Punjab Kings will play their first season match against Gujarat Titans.
PBKS early matches
- March 31 – PBKS vs Gujarat Titans (Mullanpur)
- April 3 – CSKcvs PBKS (Chennai)
- April 6 – KKR vs PBKS (Kolkata)
- April 11 – PBKS vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Mullanpur)
Lucknow Super Giants Matches
The Lucknow Super Giants will begin play their first match in the first week of the tournament.
LSG early matches
- April 1 – LSG vs Delhi Capitals (Lucknow)
- April 5 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs LSG (Hyderabad)
- April 9 – KKR vs LSG (Kolkata)
- April 12 – LSG vs Gujarat Titans (Lucknow)
Also Read: Arshdeep Singh fined 15% match fee after throwing ball at Daryl Mitchell in T20 World Cup 2026 final
Why Only First Phase Announced
The IPL governing body released only the first phase of the schedule because several Indian states will hold assembly elections during April and May. Because security forces will be busy during that period, the cricket board decided to release the schedule in phases. The tournament’s remaining games will be revealed at a later time.
Several major games involving well-known teams with some of the biggest fan bases in the competition, like as Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, will already take place during the IPL 2026 opening phase.
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