IPL 2026 Schedule Announced: Defending Champions RCB to Host SRH in March 28 Opener
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the schedule for the first 20 days of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The opening match will feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Partial Schedule Driven by Assembly Elections
The BCCI issued a partial schedule encompassing 20 matches across 10 venues to accommodate upcoming State Assembly elections in three states. The governing body will release the complete tournament schedule following the official announcement of the election dates.
The approved venues for the initial phase include Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad.
Matches scheduled in Bengaluru require formal clearance from an Expert Committee formed by the Government of Karnataka. The committee will inspect the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 13, 2026. This inspection includes a full-scale mock demonstration of match-day operations to verify the stadium’s readiness for hosting high-capacity crowds.
Match Timings and First Double-Header
The first 20 days of the tournament feature four double-headers. Consistent with standard IPL broadcasting times, afternoon matches will start at 3:30 PM IST, and evening fixtures will begin at 7:30 PM IST.
The first double-header of the season is set for April 4, featuring matchups in Delhi and Ahmedabad.
| Date (2026) | Matchup | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 4 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| April 4 | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
Franchise Home Venues
Several franchises will split their home games across multiple venues throughout the 2026 season to expand their regional fan bases and accommodate logistical requirements.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru: The defending champions will play five matches in Bengaluru and two matches at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
- Rajasthan Royals: Rajasthan will open their home campaign in Guwahati, hosting three matches including high-profile games against Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. They will play their remaining four home matches at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
- Punjab Kings: Punjab will host four matches at the newly developed PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh and three matches at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.