IPL 2026 Schedule announcement HIGHLIGHTS: The 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will kickstart on March 28 with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) playing the tournament opener.
Broadcaster Star Sports confirmed in a special broadcast on March 11 (Wednesday), where the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule will be discussed in detail.
IPL 2026- Confirmed details
The stakes have never been higher. Coming off the back of a historic 2025 season where Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally broke their title drought, the 2026 edition promises to be the largest in history with 84 matches slated across a ten-team format.
Why two phases?
However, as is often the case with the IPL, the scheduling process has been a complex puzzle. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had previously signalled a phased approach to the calendar which has now been confirmed, as the board works in tandem with the Election Commission of India to navigate upcoming assembly polls in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The first phase of the tournament will see matches played from March 28 to April 12 with the tournament opener set to be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. All matches in Bengaluru are subject to clearance by an expert committee after the Stampede case last year.
What’s new?
The Chinnaswamy Stadium has undergone significant safety audits following the tragic events of last June. Additionally, Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium was expected to make its debut as a secondary home for RCB this year but seems like the same will happen in the second phase.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans (GT) have added former Australian batter Matthew Hayden to their coaching setup. They
Here is our coverage recap of IPL 2026 schedule announcement:
IPL 2026 Quick Facts (Confirmed)
| Category | Details |
| Tournament Start | March 28, 2026 (Bengaluru) |
| Tournament Final | May 31, 2026 (Bengaluru, tentative) |
| Official Announcement Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Format | 10 Teams |
| Title Sponsor | Tata Group (Through 2028) |
| Defending Champions | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) |
Broadcasters have confirmed the schedule in a special broadcast. However, all Bengaluru home matches are subject to clearance by an expert committee.
IPL 2026 Schedule Live- LSG schedule
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
01 Apr 2026 – vs Delhi Capitals in Lucknow
05 Apr 2026 – vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad
09 Apr 2026 – vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata
12 Apr 2026 – vs Gujarat Titans in Lucknow
IPL 2026 Schedule live updates- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
28 Mar 2026 – vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru
02 Apr 2026 – vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata
05 Apr 2026 – vs Lucknow Super Giants in Hyderabad
11 Apr 2026 – vs Punjab Kings in Mullanpur
IPL 2026 Schedule live updates- PBKS schedule
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
31 Mar 2026- vs Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur
03 Apr 2026- vs Chennai Super Kings in Chennai
06 Apr 2026 – vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata
11 Apr 2026 – vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mullanpur
IPL 2026 Schedule live updates- RR schedule
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
30 Mar 2026- vs Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati
04 Apr 2026- vs Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad
07 Apr 2026 – vs Mumbai Indians in Guwahati
10 Apr 2026 – vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati
IPL 2026 Schedule live updates- KKR schedule for first phase
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
29 Mar 2026 – vs Mumbai Indians in Mumbai
02 Apr 2026 – vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata
06 Apr 2026 – vs Punjab Kings in Kolkata
09 Apr 2026 – vs Lucknow Super Giants in Kolkata
IPL 2026 Schedule live updates- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Schedule (First Phase)
01 Apr 2026- vs Delhi Capitals in Lucknow
05 Apr 2026- vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad
09 Apr 2026- vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata
12 Apr 2026- vs Gujarat Titans in Lucknow
The offical unveil of the schedule remains at 7 pm. However, the schedule is already out and confirmed as per Express Sports.
IPL 2026 Schedule live updates- GT schedule
March 31: PBKS vs GT in Mullanpur
April 4: GT vs RR in Ahmedabad
April 8: DC vs GT in Delhi
April 12: LSG vs GT in Lucknow
IPL 2026 Schedule LIVE: DC schedule
April 1: LSG vs DC in Lucknow
April 4: DC vs MI in Delhi
April 8: DC vs GT in Delhi
April 11: CSK vs DC In Chennai
IPL 2026 Schedule LIVE: CSK schedule
March 30: RR vs CSK in Guwahati
April 3: CSK vs PBKS in Chennai
April 5: RCB vs CSK in Bengaluru
April 11: CSK s vs DC in Chennai
IPL 2026 Schedule LIVE: RCB 's schedule
March 28: RCB vs SRH in Bengaluru
April 5: RCB vs CSK in Bengaluru
April 10: RR vs RCB in Guwahati
April 12: MI vs RCB in Mumbai
IPL 2026 Schedule LIVE: Mumbai's schedule
MI's first phase schedule-
-March 29 (Mumbai vs Kolkata Knight Riders)
- April 4 vs Delhi Capitals in Delhi
- April 7 vs Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati
-April 12 (Mumbai vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
4 double headers are in the first phase of the tournament. Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals play on April 4. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings lock horns on April 5.
Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals are the two matches on April 11. Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the two fixtures on April 12.
IPL 2026 Schedule announced: MI vs KKR on March 29
Mumbai Indians will play their first match against KKR On March 29.
IPL 2026 Schedule announced for phase 1- Here is the complete list of fixtures
IPL Match 1- 28 Mar Sat: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru.
Match 2 – 29 Mar Sun: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai.
Match 3 – 30 Mar Mon: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati.
Match 4 – 31 Mar Tue: Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur.
Match 5 – 1 Apr Wed: Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals in Lucknow.
Match 6 – 2 Apr Thu: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Kolkata.
Match 7 – 3 Apr Fri: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings in Chennai.
Match 8 – 4 Apr Sat: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi.
Match 9 – 4 Apr Sat: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad.
Match 10 – 5 Apr Sun: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants in Hyderabad.
Match 11 – 5 Apr Sun: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru.
Match 12 – 6 Apr Mon: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings in Kolkata.
Match 13 – 7 Apr Tue: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians in Guwahati.
Match 14 – 8 Apr Wed: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans in Delhi.
Match 15 – 9 Apr Thu: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants in Kolkata.
Match 16 – 10 Apr Fri: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati.
Match 17 – 11 Apr Sat: Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad in Mullanpur.
Match 18 – 11 Apr Sat: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals in Chennai.
Match 19 – 12 Apr Sun: Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans in Lucknow.
Match 20 – 12 Apr Sun: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mumbai.
IPL 2026 Schedule announced: RCB vs SRH on March 28!
RCB vs SRH on March 28 to kick off IPL 2026.
While fans were braced for a repeat of the 2025 final (RCB vs. Punjab Kings) as the opening match, a significant leak from the broadcasters suggests a shift in the script. BCCI, JioHotstar and Star Sports are reportedly preparing for a High-Octane launch with a possible RCB vs CSK match pitting MS Dhoni against Virat Kohli.
As we wait for the first ball on March 28, the leadership landscape has shifted. Here is the confirmed captaincy list to watch during the schedule reveal as per the official franchise Roster submissions.
RCB: Rajat Patidar (Defending his first title)
CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad (With the shadow of Dhoni and Samson)
MI: Hardik Pandya (Looking for redemption after a mixed 2025)
KKR: Ajinkya Rahane (The veteran's return to leadership)
LSG: Rishabh Pant (His first full season leading the Lucknow side)
IPL 2026 Schedule Live updates- The Election Stagger strategy
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has reinforced that tonight’s announcement is strictly Phase 1. The Board is navigating a "security chessboard" with assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The first 20 days of fixtures are being released now to allow franchises to lock in short-term hotel and travel contracts, but the second half of the 84-match season remains "fluid."
"We are considering polling dates in several key states to ensure we don't stretch local police resources," Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary, BCCI said (via PTI).
IPL 2026 Schedule Live: The 'Dhoni-Samson' Dynamic
The biggest tactical storyline of the 7 PM reveal isn't just when CSK plays, but how they will line up. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has officially confirmed that MS Dhoni will be available for all matches of the 2026 season.
However, in a fascinating twist, he clarified that the cricketing staff will decide Dhoni’s role following the high-profile acquisition of Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals.
"He will play all the matches, according to me... but whether he plays as a pure batter, a wicketkeeper, or an Impact Player is a cricketing decision," Viswanathan said as quoted by news agency IANS.
IPL 2026 Schedule Live Updates- RCB enter the tournament as the defending champions
It is pertinent to note that this is the first time that RCB will enter a season of the tournament as the defending champions.
IPL 2026 Schedule Live: What exactly did Star Sports say?
In a release shared by JioStar and Star Sports network, they confirmed that "IPL 2026 schedule will be unveiled LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, today, March 11, 7 PM onwards."
IPL 2026 Schedule Live: What time will the schedule be announced?
The schedule is expected to be live at around 7 pm. The same has been confirmed by broadcasters JioStar who will broadcast and stream a special programme for the unveiling of the schedule.
IPL 2026- Hello and welcome!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) schedule announcement. Star Sports has confirmed that they will unveil the fixtures this evening at 07:00 pm (IST).