IPL 2026 to Begin March 28 with RCB vs SRH Opener
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
- Mar 11, 2026
- 629
The schedule for the first 20 matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 was officially unveiled on Wednesday, with the tournament set to commence on March 28. The opening fixture will feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The venue holds particular significance, as it was also the site where 11 people tragically lost their lives in a stampede during RCB’s victory celebrations on June 4 last year following their maiden IPL title triumph.
However, matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will only proceed after clearance from an expert committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka. The committee is scheduled to inspect the stadium on March 13, 2026, before granting final approval.
The first phase of the tournament will feature 20 matches spread across 16 days, including four double-headers.
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will begin their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings will kick off their season against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Notably, Sanju Samson will appear for the first time in CSK colours under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Samson recently earned the Player of the Tournament award at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
The schedule for the second phase of the IPL will be announced once the election dates for five states are officially declared. Since the league’s inception in 2008, the IPL schedule has often been released in two stages during years that coincide with major elections, including those in 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024.
Due to the upcoming assembly elections in five states, the tournament’s opening has been postponed by two days, shifting the start date from March 26 to March 28. Several major venues are located in states where elections are scheduled.
These include the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, home ground of CSK; the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, home of KKR; and the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, which serves as Rajasthan Royals’ secondary home venue.
As defending champions, Royal Challengers Bangalore will host the opening match, Qualifier 2, and the final at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in accordance with IPL tradition. RCB secured their maiden IPL title last season, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final.