3 min readUpdated: Mar 11, 2026 11:57 PM IST
2026 IPL Schedule: The first phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 schedule was announced on Wednesday, as defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the season opener at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, March 28.
Mumbai Indians will open their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29. Chennai Super Kings will begin their campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.
Follow the IPL 2026 schedule announcement on our IPL 2026 schedule liveblog.
IPL 2025 finalist Punjab Kings meet Gujarat Giants in their first game in Mullanpur. A total of 20 games, including four double headers, are being announced in the first phase of IPL 2026.
BCCI announced that the full IPL 2026 schedule will be released after the poll dates. The statement reads, “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.”
During the season, RCB will play five home matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur. Punjab Kings will play four home matches in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamshala, while Rajasthan Royals will play three home matches in Guwahati and four in Jaipur.
Here’s the IPL 2026 first phase schedule:
| Match No. | Date | Day | Match (Home vs. Away) | Venue | Time |
| 1 | 28 Mar | Sat | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 2 | 29 Mar | Sun | Mumbai Indians vs. Kolkata Knight Riders | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 3 | 30 Mar | Mon | Rajasthan Royals vs. Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 4 | 31 Mar | Tue | Punjab Kings vs. Gujarat Titans | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
| 5 | 1 Apr | Wed | Lucknow Super Giants vs. Delhi Capitals | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 6 | 2 Apr | Thu | Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 7 | 3 Apr | Fri | Chennai Super Kings vs. Punjab Kings | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 8 | 4 Apr | Sat | Delhi Capitals vs. Mumbai Indians | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| 9 | 4 Apr | Sat | Gujarat Titans vs. Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 10 | 5 Apr | Sun | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Lucknow Super Giants | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
| 11 | 5 Apr | Sun | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 12 | 6 Apr | Mon | Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Punjab Kings | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 13 | 7 Apr | Tue | Rajasthan Royals vs. Mumbai Indians | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 14 | 8 Apr | Wed | Delhi Capitals vs. Gujarat Titans | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| 15 | 9 Apr | Thu | Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Lucknow Super Giants | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 16 | 10 Apr | Fri | Rajasthan Royals vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 17 | 11 Apr | Sat | Punjab Kings vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mullanpur | 3:30 PM |
| 18 | 11 Apr | Sat | Chennai Super Kings vs. Delhi Capitals | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 19 | 12 Apr | Sun | Lucknow Super Giants vs. Gujarat Titans | Lucknow | 3:30 PM |
| 20 | 12 Apr | Sun | Mumbai Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
