The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the schedule for the first phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. This initial announcement covers the first 20 matches of the 19th edition, bringing an end to the anticipation of cricket fans worldwide.
The tournament is set to begin on March 28, 2026, and this first phase will continue through April 12, 2026.
High-Voltage Opening: RCB vs SRH
In a repeat of the high-scoring rivalries from previous seasons, the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will kick off the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The opening match is scheduled for March 28, 2026, at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Following the opener, the action moves to Mumbai on March 29, where the Mumbai Indians will host the Kolkata Knight Riders. The first phase will also feature four double-header days, ensuring a packed schedule for the opening two weeks.
IPL 2026 Phase 1 Schedule – First 20 Matches
| Match No. | Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 28 | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 2 | March 29 | MI vs KKR | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 3 | March 30 | RR vs CSK | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 4 | March 31 | PBKS vs GT | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
| 5 | April 1 | LSG vs DC | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 6 | April 2 | KKR vs SRH | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 7 | April 3 | CSK vs PBKS | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 8 | April 4 | DC vs MI | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| 9 | April 4 | GT vs RR | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| 10 | April 5 | SRH vs LSG | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
| 11 | April 5 | RCB vs CSK | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 12 | April 6 | KKR vs PBKS | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 13 | April 7 | RR vs MI | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 14 | April 8 | DC vs GT | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| 15 | April 9 | KKR vs LSG | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| 16 | April 10 | RR vs RCB | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 17 | April 11 | PBKS vs SRH | Mullanpur | 3:30 PM |
| 18 | April 11 | CSK vs DC | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 19 | April 12 | LSG vs GT | Lucknow | 3:30 PM |
| 20 | April 12 | MI vs RCB | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
Two-Phased Release Due to Elections
The BCCI has opted for a phased release of the schedule this year due to the upcoming State Assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. By releasing only the first 20 matches, the board aims to ensure that the tournament logistics and security arrangements do not clash with the polling dates in these regions.
The BCCI confirmed that the full schedule for the remaining matches will be announced once the Election Commission of India finalizes the voting dates.
