The BCCI has officially released the IPL 2026 Phase 1 schedule, confirming that the tournament will begin on March 28, 2026, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
This initial fixture list covers the first 16 days of the competition, featuring 20 high-voltage matches across 10 venues. The board opted for a staggered rollout to avoid logistical clashes with upcoming state assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
IPL Opening Match: A Clash of Heavyweights
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will begin their title defense at home on March 28 against SRH in the IPL opening match of the TATA IPL 2026. Following their historic maiden title win in 2025, RCB enters this season with massive expectations from their home crowd.
The match is set for a 7:30 PM IST start at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, a venue that will also host the grand finale on May 31. This choice of venue is a direct tribute to the defending champions, ensuring the “12th Man Army” gets to witness both the beginning and the end of the journey
Watching Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar take on the aggressive bowling unit of SRH is the perfect way to start the summer. It is basically the cricket version of a New Year’s party, but with more sixes and fewer resolutions.
Full IPL 2026 Phase 1 Schedule (First 20 Games)
The IPL 2026 Phase 1 features a mix of evening starts and three double-headers to keep the momentum high. Every franchise will play at least four games during this window to ensure a balanced start for the IPL 2026 points table.
| Date | Match | Venue | IST | GMT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Mar 28 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Sun, Mar 29 | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Mon, Mar 30 | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Tue, Mar 31 | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Wed, Apr 1 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Thu, Apr 2 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Fri, Apr 3 | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | Chepauk, Chennai | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Sat, Apr 4 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Delhi | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 4 | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Sun, Apr 5 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Sun, Apr 5 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Mon, Apr 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Tue, Apr 7 | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Wed, Apr 8 | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans | Delhi | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Thu, Apr 9 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Fri, Apr 10 | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Sat, Apr 11 | Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mullanpur | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Sat, Apr 11 | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals | Chepauk, Chennai | 7:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Sun, Apr 12 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans | Lucknow | 3:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Sun, Apr 12 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
The BCCI has maintained the 7:30 PM IST slot for most games, while afternoon matches will start at 3:30 PM IST
Strategic Venues and Election Factors
The BCCI selected secondary home grounds like Guwahati for Rajasthan Royals to balance the schedule against local administrative requirements. This helps maintain the flow of the Indian Premier League 2026 while the country prepares for regional polls.
Logistics are tighter this year as the league expands to 84 matches, up from the previous 74-match format. Teams like Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals will start with concentrated home stints to minimize travel fatigue
Using Guwahati as a “second home” has worked wonders for the RR fan base in the Northeast. It’s like having a destination wedding, but the only people getting hitched are the ball and the boundary ropes.
Player Watch: Captaincy and Mega Auction Impact
Hardik Pandya and Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead their respective sides with revamped squads following the IPL 2026 mega auction. These new-look teams are expected to bring fresh tactical battles to the pitch during the first two weeks.
Fans are also eager to see if Rishabh Pant can guide LSG to an early lead or if Shubman Gill continues his dominance with Gujarat Titans. The IPL 2026 schedule ensures these marquee players face off early to maximize viewership.
With the auction dust settled, many players are wearing colors that still look a bit “wrong” to fans. It’s like seeing your high school teacher at a nightclub you know they belong somewhere, just not necessarily there.
Broadcasting And Streaming Details
Jio Hotstar will provide the IPL 2026 live stream in 4K resolution across 12 languages for free, continuing its digital-first approach. For those who prefer the big screen, Star Sports remains the satellite home for the entire IPL 2026 season.
Enhanced interactive features this year include “Player Cam” and real-time stats overlays. This ensures you can track every move of your favorite star, even if they are just standing at deep mid-wicket eating a hidden energy bar.
The IPL 2026 Phase 1 schedule sets the stage for a record-breaking season with 84 matches total. With the opening match between RCB and SRH just weeks away, the excitement is reaching a fever pitch. The remaining fixtures for Phase 2 will be announced by the BCCI once the Election Commission confirms the poll dates.
