The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the schedule for the first phase of IPL 2026 on Wednesday, March 11. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening game of the 19th season at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28.
The IPL governing council has announced the schedule only for the first phase of the IPL, which will run from March 28 to April 12. A total of 20 matches, including four double-header days, will be played during this phase. Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam will dictate the remainder of the schedule for the cash-rich T20 tournament.
“As three states are scheduled to undergo State Assembly elections during this period, the full schedule of the tournament will be announced once the poll dates are announced,” the IPL said in a statement.
However, the tournament will stick to its format and retain the same number of matches, with a total of 74 games scheduled for the season.
The opening weekend promises blockbuster action, as Mumbai Indians will take on Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, March 29, while Rajasthan Royals will host Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on Monday, March 30.
A total of 20 matches will be played across 10 venues: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
IPL 2026 SCHEDULE: MARCH 28 TO APRIL 12
Saturday, March 28 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Bengaluru
Sunday, March 29 – Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Mumbai
Monday, March 30 – Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings – Guwahati
Tuesday, March 31 – Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans – Mullanpur
Wednesday, April 1 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals – Lucknow
Thursday, April 2 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Kolkata
Friday, April 3 – Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings – Chennai
Saturday, April 4 – Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians – Delhi
Saturday, April 4 – Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals – Ahmedabad
Sunday, April 5 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants – Hyderabad
Sunday, April 5 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings – Bengaluru
Monday, April 6 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings – Kolkata
Tuesday, April 7 – Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians – Guwahati
Wednesday, April 8 – Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans – Delhi
Thursday, April 9 – Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants – Kolkata
Friday, April 10 – Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Guwahati
Saturday, April 11 – Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Mullanpur
Saturday, April 11 – Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals – Chennai
Sunday, April 12 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans – Lucknow
Sunday, April 12 – Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Mumbai
HOW MANY DOUBLE HEADERS IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS?
A total of 20 matches will spread across the first 16 days. A total of 12 single-header days and four double-header days feature in the first phase of IPL 2026.
This is not the first time the IPL governing council has released the schedule of the T20 tournament in phases. Even in 2024, when India headed for general elections, the schedule was released in phases.
WILL M CHINNASWAMY STADIUM HOST MATCHES?
Yes. According to the defending champions, the iconic stadium in Bengaluru will host five of their home games, while Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Stadium will host the remaining two games.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium, however, is also reported to host a playoff game and the final.
The stadium’s comeback follows a nearly year-long suspension after the tragic stampede during last year’s title celebrations, which previously sidelined the venue from major events like the Women’s World Cup and the T20 World Cup.
While the Karnataka Cabinet has given a conditional nod for matches to return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the final green light depends on an Expert Review Committee led by the Greater Bengaluru Authority Commissioner, M. Maheshwar Rao.
The decision came after the submission of the Justice Cunha report, which outlined a series of immediate, medium-term and long-term recommendations aimed at ensuring spectator safety at the venue.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium was earlier expected to host the Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir in February, but it was moved to Hubballi due to the safety enhancement works at the venue. With a strict 35,000-capacity cap and multi-departmental oversight now in place, cricket is set to return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium under heightened scrutiny and reinforced safety protocols.
Three teams will have multiple home venues this season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play five matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur, Punjab Kings four in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamshala, and Rajasthan Royals three in Guwahati and four in Jaipur.
