BCCI released the schedule for IPL 2026, the first match will be between defending champion RCB and Hyderabad; See complete details here

IPL 2026: The 19th season of the Indian Premier League is about to start. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the initial schedule of IPL 2026. The tournament will start from 28 March 2026. The first match of defending champion Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This opening game will be played in the evening.

Schedule of 20 matches released

BCCI has so far released the schedule of only the first 20 matches (till April 12). The complete schedule will come later. The main reason for this is the assembly elections in many states, like Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There may be changes in stadium and security arrangements due to elections, hence the schedule is being released in two phases.

Schedule of first 20 matches

March 28 (Saturday): RCB vs SRH-Bengaluru
March 29 (Sunday): Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders- Mumbai
March 30 (Monday): Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings- Guwahati
March 31 (Tuesday): Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans- Mullanpur
April 1 (Wednesday): Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals- Lucknow
April 2 (Thursday): Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Kolkata
April 3 (Friday): Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings- Chennai
April 4 (Saturday, Afternoon): Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians – Delhi
April 4 (Saturday, Evening): Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals- Ahmedabad
April 5 (Sunday, Afternoon): Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants – Hyderabad
April 5 (Sunday, Evening): RCB vs Chennai Super Kings – Bengaluru
April 6 (Monday): Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings- Kolkata
April 7 (Tuesday): Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians – Guwahati
April 8 (Wednesday): Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans- Delhi
April 9 (Thursday): Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants – Kolkata
April 10 (Friday): Rajasthan Royals vs RCB- Guwahati
April 11 (Saturday, Afternoon): Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – Mullanpur
April 11 (Saturday, Evening): Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals – Chennai
April 12 (Sunday, Afternoon): Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans- Lucknow
April 12 (Sunday, Evening): Mumbai Indians vs RCB- Mumbai

🚨 News 🚨

Presenting the schedule for the first 20 matches of #TATAIPL 2026, to be played from March 28 to April 12, 2026 🗓️

Full schedule will be announced once poll dates are announced for three states set to undergo State Assembly elections.

More details ▶️… pic.twitter.com/8Iq492v8TE

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 11, 2026

RCB on the field as defending champions

RCB had won the title last season. There was a stampede during the victory parade in Bengaluru, after which questions were raised about the match in the stadium, but now RCB will play five home games here. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have become champions five times each.