SRH to face RCB in IPL 2026 opener at Bengaluru | Check schedule

The schedule for the first phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been announced, with the tournament set to begin on March 28. The opening match will feature Sunrisers Hyderabad taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

In another key fixture, Mumbai Indians will face Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium. Punjab Kings are also scheduled to play against Kolkata Knight Riders on the same day at the same venue as part of the initial phase of the tournament.

According to the schedule, a total of 20 matches will be played in the first phase, including two double-headers. The dates for the remaining matches are expected to be announced after the declaration of assembly election schedules in several states.

IPL 2026 First-Phase Match Schedule:

March 28 – RCB vs SRH, Chinnaswamy Stadium – 3:30 PM
March 29 – MI vs KKR, Wankhede Stadium – 7:30 PM
March 30 – Rajasthan Royals vs CSK, Barsapara Stadium (Guwahati) – 7:30 PM
March 31 – Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans, Mullanpur – 7:30 PM

April 1 – Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals, Ekana – 7:30 PM
April 2 – KKR vs SRH, Eden Gardens (Kolkata) – 7:30 PM
April 3 – CSK vs Punjab Kings, Chennai – 7:30 PM

April 4 – Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians, Delhi – 3:30 PM
April 4 – Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, Ahmedabad – 7:30 PM

April 5 – SRH vs LSG, Hyderabad – 3:30 PM
April 5 – RCB vs CSK, Bengaluru – 7:30 PM

April 6 – KKR vs Punjab Kings, Kolkata – 7:30 PM
April 7 – Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians, Guwahati – 7:30 PM
April 8 – Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans, Delhi – 7:30 PM
April 9 – KKR vs LSG, Kolkata – 7:30 PM

April 10 – Rajasthan Royals vs RCB, Guwahati – 7:30 PM
April 11 – Punjab Kings vs SRH, Mullanpur – 3:30 PM
April 11 – CSK vs Delhi Capitals, Chennai – 7:30 PM

April 12 – LSG vs Gujarat Titans, Lucknow – 3:30 PM
April 12 – Mumbai Indians vs RCB, Mumbai – 7:30 PM