Cricket fever is officially back! The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially unveiled the schedule for the first phase of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Starting on March 28, the 19th edition of the world's most popular T20 league promises to be bigger than ever. Due to upcoming State Assembly elections in several regions, the BCCI has opted for a phased rollout, releasing the first 20 matches of what is expected to be a record-breaking 84-match season.
The Grand Opener: Champions vs. Challengers
In a repeat of last year's high-octane drama, the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the tournament opener.
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Date: March 28, 2026 (Saturday)
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Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
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Time: 7:30 PM IST
After finally lifting their maiden trophy in 2025, Lotus365 Blue RCB enters this season under a new kind of pressure—the pressure of being the hunted. Meanwhile, SRH will be looking for early redemption after falling just short in last year's final.
Phase 1 At A Glance (March 28 – April 12)
The first phase features 20 matches played across 10 iconic venues. Here are the key highlights of the opening fortnight:
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Sunday Blockbuster: Mumbai Indians (MI) face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.
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The Southern Derby: RCB vs. CSK on April 5 in Bengaluru—a match that traditionally stops the nation.
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New Horizons: Rajasthan Royals will bring IPL action to the Northeast, hosting their early home games at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
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Fresh Turf: Punjab Kings (PBKS) will debut their home campaign at the brand-new stadium in New Chandigarh.
IPL 2026 Phase 1 Fixture List
|
Date |
Match |
Venue |
Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mar 28 |
RCB vs SRH |
Bengaluru |
7:30 PM |
|
Mar 29 |
MI vs KKR |
Mumbai |
7:30 PM |
|
Mar 30 |
RR vs CSK |
Guwahati |
7:30 PM |
|
Mar 31 |
PBKS vs GT |
New Chandigarh |
7:30 PM |
|
Apr 01 |
LSG vs DC |
Lucknow |
7:30 PM |
|
Apr 04 |
DC vs MI |
Delhi |
3:30 PM |
|
Apr 04 |
GT vs RR |
Ahmedabad |
7:30 PM |
|
Apr 05 |
SRH vs LSG |
Hyderabad |
3:30 PM |
|
Apr 05 |
RCB vs CSK |
Bengaluru |
7:30 PM |
|
Apr 12 |
MI vs RCB |
Mumbai |
7:30 PM |
(Note: Phase 1 concludes on April 12 with a massive clash between MI and RCB at the Wankhede.)
Why a Phased Schedule?
The BCCI has confirmed that the staggered release is a strategic move to accommodate the State Assembly elections. By releasing the first 20 days, the board ensures the tournament starts on time while remaining flexible enough to adjust the remaining 64 matches once the Election Commission finalizes poll dates.
Format & Expansion
This year, the stakes are higher. The tournament is expanding to 84 matches, featuring a double round-robin format where every team plays each other twice. The top four will advance to the playoffs, with the Grand Finale already locked in for May 31 in Bengaluru.
The "Jadeja-Samson" Factor
Fans are also eagerly waiting to see the impact of the blockbuster pre-season trade. Ravindra Jadeja will be donning the Rajasthan Royals (RR) pink, while Sanju Samson has made the move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Their first meeting in the new colors is expected to be one of the most-watched moments of the early season.
Stay tuned for the Phase 2 announcement coming soon! Which team are you backing to lift the trophy this year? Let us know in the comments!