IPL 2026 Opener Set: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday, March 11, announced the schedule for the first phase of Indian Premier League 2026.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match of the 19th season at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28.

The IPL Governing Council has released the schedule only for the first phase of the tournament, which will run from March 28 to April 12. A total of 20 matches, including four double-header days, will be played during this period.

The remainder of the schedule will depend on the Assembly election dates in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam. “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 declared,” the IPL said in a statement.

Despite the phased announcement, the tournament format will remain unchanged, with a total of 74 matches scheduled for the season. The opening weekend promises blockbuster action, with Mumbai Indians taking on Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29 in Mumbai. Rajasthan Royals will then host Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30.

Overall, 20 matches will be played across 10 venues in the opening phase: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.