Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will enter the upcoming Indian Premier League season as defending champions for the first time. Rajat Patidar’s team will begin their title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, March 28.
RCB won their first trophy last year by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final. The defending champions will aim to repeat that impressive performance in the upcoming 10-team tournament and hope to become only the third franchise to successfully defend their title in the IPL.
Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2026 Full Schedule
| date | match | venue | Time (IST) |
| 28 March | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | 7:30 pm |
| 5th April | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 7:30 pm |
| 10th April | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals | Guwahati | 7:30 pm |
| 12 April | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians | Mumbai | 7:30 pm |
| 15th April | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Lucknow Super Giants | Bengaluru | 7:30 pm |
| 18 April | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals | Bengaluru | 3:30 pm |
| 24 April | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans | Bengaluru | 7:30 pm |
| 27 April | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals | Delhi | 7:30 pm |
| 30 April | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans | Ahmedabad | 7:30 pm |
| 7th May | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow | 7:30 pm |
| 10th May | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians | Raipur | 7:30 pm |
| 13 may | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Raipur | 7:30 pm |
| 17th May | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings | Hospice | 3:30 pm |
| 22 may | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 7:30 pm |
Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2026 Venue Details
Bengaluru will travel across India during their IPL 2026 campaign. While the M Chinnaswamy Stadium remains their home ground, the defending champions will play at a number of challenging venues throughout the tournament.
RCB is scheduled to compete at key venues in Guwahati, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Raipur, Dharamshala and Hyderabad. It is noteworthy that the franchise will play its two home matches in Raipur.
The playoff venues have not been decided yet, but Bengaluru could host Qualifier 1 and the final. Notably, if the defending champions qualify for the playoffs they may get a chance to play again in Bengaluru.
Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2026 Home and Away Matches
Royal Challengers will have a strong home advantage at the start of IPL 2026. They will play five of their first seven matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. They are also scheduled to play two more home matches at a neutral venue in Raipur.
Meanwhile, RCB face a challenging schedule, facing opponents in Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. These difficult situations will test their skills as they aim to successfully defend their title.
royal challengers bengaluru full squad ipl 2026
Royal Challengers kept their core team intact while acquiring backups during the recent auction. The franchise management bought key players like Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav and New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy.
batsman: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David
All-rounder: Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Swapnil Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Kanishk Chauhan, Vihaan Malhotra, Jacob Bethel, Satwik Deswal.
wicket keeper: Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Jordan Cox
Bowler: Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Suyyash Sharma, Jacob Duffy, Abhinandan Singh, Vicky Ostwal
Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2026 Captain and Coaching Staff
Rajat Patidar returns to lead RCB after last year’s success. Director of cricket Mo Bobat is guiding the team along with head coach Andy Flower. Dinesh Karthik serves as the batting mentor, while Omkar Salvi manages the fast bowling department.
Captain: Rajat Patidar
head coach: andy flowers
Batting Coach: Dinesh Karthik
Bowling Coach: Omkar Salvi
assistant coach: Richard Halsall
Scout: M. Rangarajan
Also read: “KL Rahul is a classy player who I am thrilled with…” – Ian Bell ahead of IPL 2026