The 19th season of the Indian Premier League is set to kick off with excitement, high-intensity clashes, and star-studded line-ups. IPL 2026 promises thrilling cricket action across multiple venues, with fans eagerly waiting to witness their favorite teams battle for supremacy.
The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League is scheduled to begin on March 28, 2026. The tournament will initially feature a partial schedule announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India due to upcoming assembly elections in certain states.
In the first phase, a total of 20 matches will be played across 10 venues, concluding on April 12. The remaining fixtures will be revealed later once logistical clarity is achieved.
The opening match will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru, setting the tone for the tournament.
Here is the complete match schedule for the opening phase of the Indian Premier League 2026 season:
|
Date |
Match |
Time |
Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
|
March 28 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |
7:30 PM |
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
|
March 29 |
Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
7:30 PM |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
|
March 30 |
Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings |
7:30 PM |
ACA Stadium, Guwahati |
|
March 31 |
Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans |
7:30 PM |
PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh |
|
April 1 |
Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals |
7:30 PM |
Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
|
April 2 |
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |
7:30 PM |
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
|
April 3 |
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings |
7:30 PM |
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
|
April 4 |
Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians |
3:30 PM |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
|
April 4 |
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals |
7:30 PM |
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
|
April 5 |
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants |
3:30 PM |
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
|
April 5 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings |
7:30 PM |
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
|
April 6 |
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings |
7:30 PM |
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
|
April 7 |
Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians |
7:30 PM |
ACA Stadium, Guwahati |
|
April 8 |
Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans |
7:30 PM |
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
|
April 9 |
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants |
7:30 PM |
Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
|
April 10 |
Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
7:30 PM |
ACA Stadium, Guwahati |
|
April 11 |
Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |
3:30 PM |
PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh |
|
April 11 |
Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals |
7:30 PM |
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
|
April 12 |
Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans |
3:30 PM |
Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
|
April 12 |
Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
7:30 PM |
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
Tournament kicks off on March 28, 2026
First match: RCB vs SRH in Bengaluru
Multiple double-headers on April 4, 5, 11, and 12
Matches hosted across 10 major Indian venues
First phase concludes on April 12, 2026
Matches will be played across iconic cricket stadiums in India, ensuring nationwide fan engagement.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
ACA Stadium, Guwahati
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh
Fans can enjoy all matches live through multiple platforms:
This ensures seamless access for viewers across devices, making IPL 2026 widely accessible.
All ten franchises have assembled competitive squads featuring a mix of experienced stars and emerging talents.
Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, the team includes legends like MS Dhoni along with impactful players like Shivam Dube and Matt Henry.
Under Axar Patel, the squad boasts players such as KL Rahul, David Miller, and Mitchell Starc.
Captain Shubman Gill leads a strong unit featuring Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, and Mohammed Siraj.
Led by Ajinkya Rahane, KKR includes power hitters like Rinku Singh and all-rounders like Sunil Narine.
With Rishabh Pant as captain, the squad includes Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, and Mohammad Shami.
Captain Hardik Pandya leads a star-studded team featuring Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav.
Under Shreyas Iyer, the team includes Marcus Stoinis, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Captain Riyan Parag leads a balanced squad with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jofra Archer.
Led by Rajat Patidar, the team features Virat Kohli, Josh Hazlewood, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Captain Pat Cummins leads a powerful squad including Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Ishan Kishan.
IPL 2026 stands out due to:
A partially flexible schedule due to elections
Balanced squads with fresh talent
High-profile rivalries and comeback stories
Increased fan engagement via digital streaming
The tournament continues to be one of the most watched sporting events globally, blending entertainment with top-level cricket.
Conclusion
IPL 2026 is shaping up to be another electrifying season filled with intense competition, iconic venues, and global cricketing stars. While the first phase schedule sets the stage, fans can expect more excitement as the full fixture list is announced. Whether watching on TV or streaming online, cricket enthusiasts are in for a spectacular season.