IPL 2026 Phase 1 Schedule Announced: RCB vs SRH Opening Match on March 28
Cricket fans have exciting news as the schedule for the first phase of the **Indian Premier League 2026 season has been officially revealed. The upcoming season will begin with a thrilling opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad on 28 March 2026 at the famous M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
According to the announced schedule, the Phase 1 of IPL 2026 will include 20 matches, running from March 28 to April 12, 2026. The second phase schedule is expected to be released later due to election schedules in some states.
Fans can expect several exciting clashes in the early stage of the tournament, including matches between Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals.
IPL 2026 Phase 1 Schedule Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Indian Premier League 2026 |
| Phase | Phase 1 |
| Total Matches | 20 |
| Start Date | 28 March 2026 |
| End Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Opening Match | RCB vs SRH |
| Host Cities | Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mullanpur |
IPL 2026 Phase 1 Schedule Full Match
| Match | Date | Day | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB vs SRH | 28 Mar 2026 | Saturday | Evening | Bengaluru |
| MI vs KKR | 29 Mar 2026 | Sunday | Evening | Mumbai |
| RR vs CSK | 30 Mar 2026 | Monday | Evening | Guwahati |
| PBKS vs GT | 31 Mar 2026 | Tuesday | Evening | Mullanpur |
| LSG vs DC | 1 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Evening | Lucknow |
| KKR vs SRH | 2 Apr 2026 | Thursday | Evening | Kolkata |
| CSK vs PBKS | 3 Apr 2026 | Friday | Evening | Chennai |
| DC vs MI | 4 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Afternoon | Delhi |
| GT vs RR | 4 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Evening | Ahmedabad |
| SRH vs LSG | 5 Apr 2026 | Sunday | Afternoon | Hyderabad |
| RCB vs CSK | 5 Apr 2026 | Sunday | Evening | Bengaluru |
| KKR vs PBKS | 6 Apr 2026 | Monday | Evening | Kolkata |
| RR vs MI | 7 Apr 2026 | Tuesday | Evening | Guwahati |
| DC vs GT | 8 Apr 2026 | Wednesday | Evening | Delhi |
| KKR vs LSG | 9 Apr 2026 | Thursday | Evening | Kolkata |
| RR vs RCB | 10 Apr 2026 | Friday | Evening | Guwahati |
| PBKS vs SRH | 11 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Afternoon | Mullanpur |
| CSK vs DC | 11 Apr 2026 | Saturday | Evening | Chennai |
| LSG vs GT | 12 Apr 2026 | Sunday | Afternoon | Lucknow |
| MI vs RCB | 12 Apr 2026 | Sunday | Evening | Mumbai |
Key Matches to Watch in IPL 2026 Phase 1
Some matches in the early phase are already generating huge excitement among cricket fans.
The opening clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad will be special as RCB will start the season by defending their title in front of their home crowd.
Another highly anticipated match will be Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, two of the strongest teams in IPL history.
The rivalry between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings on April 5 is also expected to attract massive viewership.
Fans are also eager to watch **Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, where star players could face their former teams.
Why IPL 2026 Schedule Is Divided Into Phases
This year, the IPL schedule has been divided into multiple phases due to administrative and election-related factors in several states. Authorities decided to release only the first phase schedule to ensure smooth management of matches and security arrangements.
Once the election dates are finalized, the schedule for Phase 2 will be announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
IPL 2026 Host Cities
The first phase matches will take place across several major Indian cities including:
- Bengaluru
- Mumbai
- Guwahati
- Delhi
- Ahmedabad
- Chennai
- Lucknow
- Kolkata
- Hyderabad
- Mullanpur
These venues will host some of the biggest cricket matches during the opening weeks of the tournament.
Why IPL Remains the Biggest Cricket League
The Indian Premier League continues to be the most popular T20 cricket league in the world. It attracts top international and Indian players, huge television viewership, and massive fan engagement.
Each season brings intense competition, thrilling finishes, and unforgettable moments for cricket lovers.
With the announcement of the IPL 2026 Phase 1 schedule, fans can now start preparing for another exciting season of cricket action.
FAQs
1. When will IPL 2026 start?
IPL 2026 will begin on 28 March 2026.
2. Which teams will play the opening match?
The opening match will be between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
3. Where will the first match be played?
The first match will be played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
4. How many matches are scheduled in Phase 1?
A total of 20 matches will be played in Phase 1.
5. When will Phase 1 end?
Phase 1 will end on 12 April 2026.
6. Why is the schedule released in phases?
The schedule is divided due to election schedules in some states.
7. Which cities will host the matches?
Cities include Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Mullanpur.
8. Who organizes IPL?
IPL is organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
9. Which teams are playing in IPL 2026?
All 10 IPL franchises are participating.
10. When will Phase 2 schedule be announced?
Phase 2 schedule is expected to be released after election dates are finalized.
