IPL 2026 schedule announced: RCB to face Sunrisers in opening match at Chinnaswamy Stadium
Bengaluru: The schedule for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) has been officially announced, with the tournament set to begin on March 28. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the schedule for the first phase of the tournament, covering 20 matches that will be played between March 28 and April 12.
The opening match of the season will feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM and is expected to attract massive fan interest as IPL returns to the city.
Only first phase schedule released
The BCCI has announced only the first 20 days of fixtures for now due to upcoming Assembly elections in three Indian states. Officials said the remaining schedule will be announced once the election dates are finalized.
Tournament organizers stated that this phased announcement was necessary to avoid logistical challenges and security concerns during the election period.
IPL returns to Bengaluru
This season’s opening match in Bengaluru is particularly significant. In the previous IPL season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Punjab Kings to win the championship title. However, the victory celebrations in the city turned tragic after a stampede-like situation reportedly led to the deaths of 11 fans.
Following the incident, the Government of Karnataka had initially considered avoiding IPL matches in Bengaluru due to safety concerns. The RCB franchise had also expressed reluctance to host home games in the city.
However, the situation changed after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) under new president Venkatesh Prasad held discussions with the state government and the RCB management. The talks reportedly resulted in an agreement to resume matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium with enhanced security and crowd management measures.
As a result, IPL cricket is returning to Bengaluru, much to the delight of local fans.
Key matches in the first phase
Several high-profile clashes are scheduled during the opening phase of the tournament. On March 29, Mumbai Indians will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
On March 30, Rajasthan Royals will face Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati, while Punjab Kings will meet Gujarat Titans in Chandigarh on March 31.
RCB will play several crucial matches during the first phase, including clashes against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1 in Lucknow and a high-voltage encounter against Chennai Super Kings on April 5 in Bengaluru.
Another major fixture will see Mumbai Indians hosting RCB on April 12 in Mumbai.
Fans excited for IPL return
The return of IPL matches to Bengaluru has generated excitement among cricket lovers across Karnataka. With defending champions RCB beginning their title defence at home, the opening match is expected to draw packed crowds and intense support.
The BCCI is expected to release the complete tournament schedule in the coming weeks once the election timeline becomes clear. Meanwhile, teams are gearing up for another thrilling season of the world’s most popular T20 league.
