IPL 2026: The IPL 2026 is all set to start from March 28. The tournament opener will feature the reigning champions playing at home against one of the most explosive batting sides in the tournament. If this match is any indication, the season promises to be a nail-biting thriller.
Let’s take a look at the complete guide for the upcoming IPL 2026:
The First Match — Date, Teams, Venue, and Timing
The IPL 2026 will begin with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
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All you need to know about match 1:
Date: March 28, 2026 — this Saturday
Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Time: 7:30 PM IST
The atmosphere at the Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to be electric as RCB aims to defend its title for the first time. Rajat Patidar will lead the team in the upcoming season.
The Complete First Phase Schedule — All 20 Confirmed Matches
The BCCI revealed the schedule for the first 20 matches of the upcoming season. These matches will be held from March 28 to April 12. All matches will take place across 10 venues.
March 28 — RCB vs SRH | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM
March 29 — MI vs KKR | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM
March 30 — RR vs CSK | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | 7:30 PM
March 31 – PBKS vs GT, PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh, 3:30 PM; LSG vs DC, BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, 7:30 PM
April 1 — KKR vs SRH | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM
April 2 — CSK vs RCB | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | 7:30 PM
April 3 — MI vs PBKS | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM
April 4 – DC vs MI, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, 3:30 PM (first double-header afternoon match); GT vs RR, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM
April 5 — RCB vs CSK | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM
April 6 — SRH vs LSG | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | 7:30 PM
April 7 — KKR vs PBKS | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM
April 8 — RR vs MI | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | 7:30 PM
April 9 — DC vs GT | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 7:30 PM
April 10 — KKR vs LSG | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM
April 11 – RR vs RCB, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, 3:30 PM; PBKS vs SRH, PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh, 7:30 PM
April 12 – CSK vs DC, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, 3:30 PM; LSG vs GT, BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, 7:30 PM
All 10 Venues in the First Phase
Around 20 matches will be held in 10 venues in the first phase. These venues are Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru — RCB home), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai — MI home), Eden Gardens (Kolkata — KKR home), Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad — GT home).
MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) — Chennai (CSK home)
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium — Hyderabad (SRH home)
Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi — DC home), BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium (Lucknow — LSG home), PCA Stadium (New Chandigarh — PBKS home)
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati — Rajasthan Royals' temporary home base
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Unique venue arrangements this season:
The Rajat Patidar-led side will play five home matches in Bengaluru. They will play two more in Raipur at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. Punjab Kings will host four matches in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamshala. The Riyan Parag-led side will play three home matches in Guwahati and four in Jaipur.
Where to Watch IPL 2026 — TV and Online
All the IPL 2026 matches will be telecast live on the Star Sports network in India.
JioHotstar — Official OTT platform with live streaming, highlights, and multi-cam options
Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD — English commentary
Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Hindi HD — Hindi commentary
Regional language feeds are also available across Star Sports channels.