Indian Premier League (IPL) It is set to return with its 19th edition in 2026, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule for the first phase of the tournament. The opening match will include the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) On March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The announcement has already created excitement among fans, as the IPL once again promises weeks of exciting cricket and high-voltage clashes between the league’s biggest teams.
IPL 2026 Schedule: Big matches likely to take place in the opening weekend
The tournament will begin with RCB starting their title defense against SRH at home on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 PM IST. The iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will host the opening ceremony, continuing the tradition of the defending champions playing their opening match of the season.
The excitement will continue the next day also. Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 29 at the famous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
There will be another big clash in the initial week on March 30. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Start their campaign against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati. With several marquee matchups scheduled right from the start, fans can expect an exciting start to the season.
This year BCCI has decided to release the IPL schedule in two phases. Right now only the first 20 matches have been announced.
The decision comes in view of the upcoming state assembly elections to be held between March and May in several regions, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry. Releasing the schedule in parts allows officials to coordinate security arrangements more efficiently.
According to BCCI officials, the remaining schedules will be announced after the voting dates are finalized by the Election Commission. There will be 84 matches across the tournament, more than previous editions, with the final taking place on May 31 in Bengaluru.
IPL 2026 schedule: Key matches of the first phase
The first phase of the IPL 2026 season includes several high-profile competitions that are expected to attract massive audiences.
One of the biggest days will be April 4, which will feature a double-header. Delhi Capitals (DC) will take on Mumbai Indians in the afternoon match in Delhi, while Gujarat Titans (GT) will face Rajasthan Royals in the evening match in Ahmedabad.
Another exciting day is April 5, when Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Lucknow Supergiants in the afternoon clash ahead of the much-awaited southern derby between RCB and CSK at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The first phase will conclude on April 12 with two matches – LSG against GT in the afternoon and MI hosting RCB at the Wankhede Stadium in the evening.
ipl 2026 first phase schedule
| match | date | Day | Stability | venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 March | sat | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | 7:30 pm |
| 2 | 29 March | Sun | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Mumbai | 7:30 pm |
| 3 | 30 March | Mon | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati | 7:30 pm |
| 4 | 31st March | Fortunate | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | Mullanpur | 7:30 pm |
| 5 | 1 April | Mercury | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Lucknow | 7:30 pm |
| 6 | 2 April | Teacher | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata | 7:30 pm |
| 7 | 3 April | Vesper | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | Chennai | 7:30 pm |
| 8 | 4th April | sat | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Delhi | 3:30 pm |
| 9 | 4th April | sat | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | 7:30 pm |
| 10 | 5th April | Sun | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Hyderabad | 3:30 pm |
| 11 | 5th April | Sun | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 7:30 pm |
| 12 | 6 April | Mon | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Kolkata | 7:30 pm |
| 13 | 7 April | Fortunate | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | 7:30 pm |
| 14 | 8 April | Mercury | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans | Delhi | 7:30 pm |
| 15 | 9 April | Teacher | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants | Kolkata | 7:30 pm |
| 16 | 10th April | Vesper | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore | Guwahati | 7:30 pm |
| 17 | 11 April | sat | Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mullanpur | 3:30 pm |
| 18 | 11 April | sat | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals | Chennai | 7:30 pm |
| 19 | 12 April | Sun | Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans | Lucknow | 3:30 pm |
| 20 | 12 April | Sun | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore | Mumbai | 7:30 pm |
Where to watch IPL 2026?
The IPL 2026 schedule was announced live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network on Wednesday evening. Throughout the season, all matches will be broadcast on Star Sports channels and live streamed on JioHotstar for fans in India and across the world.
Also read: IPL 2026 – Matt Henry ranks 10 iconic New Zealand players who have worn the yellow jersey of CSK
