IPL 2026 First Phase Schedule Announced

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season will run from March 28 to May 31, 2026. The first phase of the tournament, from March 28 to April 12, has been scheduled carefully due to upcoming state assembly elections in India, according to reports by India Today and The Hindu.

The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will kick off the season by playing against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Bengaluru on March 28. The first 20 days of matches have been confirmed by sources including India Today and The Times of India.

Here are the key matches for the first phase:

March 28: RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru

March 29: MI vs KKR, Mumbai

March 30: RR vs CSK, Guwahati

March 31: PBKS vs GT, Mullanpur

April 1: LSG vs DC, Lucknow

April 2: KKR vs SRH, Kolkata

April 3: CSK vs PBKS, Chennai

April 4: DC vs MI, Delhi; GT vs RR, Ahmedabad

April 5: SRH vs LSG, Hyderabad; RCB vs CSK, Bengaluru

April 6: KKR vs PBKS, Kolkata

April 7: RR vs MI, Guwahati

April 8: DC vs GT, Delhi

April 9: KKR vs LSG, Kolkata

April 10: RR vs RCB, Guwahati

April 11: PBKS vs SRH, Mullanpur; CSK vs DC, Chennai

April 12: LSG vs GT, Lucknow

This schedule ensures that matches are well-spaced and do not clash with election dates. Fans can expect exciting games across multiple cities, with top IPL teams facing off in the opening phase.

The first match in Bengaluru between RCB and SRH is especially anticipated, as fans look forward to seeing the defending champions start their title defense. Matches are spread across cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Mullanpur, giving cricket fans across India a chance to watch their favorite teams live.

The IPL 2026 season promises a thrilling start with high-stakes matches, exciting performances, and intense competition as all teams aim for the title. Fans are already marking their calendars for the opening phase, and the rest of the schedule will be announced later.