The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the first phase schedule of the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday. The tournament will begin on March 28, 2026, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The season opener is expected to draw huge attention as RCB will begin their title defense at home in front of passionate fans. Interestingly, the Bengaluru venue will host only five matches during the first phase of the tournament.
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will start their campaign a day later on March 29, when they face Kolkata Knight Riders at the historic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings will open their season against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30. The early phase of the tournament features several exciting matchups between some of the league’s biggest teams, promising a thrilling start to IPL 2026.
The first phase schedule also includes matches involving teams such as Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals, ensuring competitive clashes across multiple venues in India.
With high-profile encounters like RCB vs CSK and MI vs RCB scheduled early in the season, fans can expect intense rivalries and packed stadiums as the IPL once again brings the best of T20 cricket to the forefront.
IPL 2026 – First Phase Schedule
March 28 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Bengaluru)
March 29 – Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders (Mumbai)
March 30 – Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings (Guwahati)
March 31 – Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans (Mullanpur)
April 1 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals (Lucknow)
April 2 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Kolkata)
April 3 – Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings (Chennai)
April 4 – Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians (Delhi)
April 4 – Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals (Ahmedabad)
April 5 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants (Hyderabad)
April 5 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings (Bengaluru)
April 6 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings (Kolkata)
April 7 – Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians (Guwahati)
April 8 – Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans (Delhi)
April 9 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants (Kolkata)
April 10 – Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Guwahati)
April 11 – Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Mullanpur)
April 11 – Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals (Chennai)
April 12 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans (Lucknow)
April 12 – Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Mumbai)
