BCCI Announces Schedule for First Phase of TATA IPL 2026
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule for the first phase of the TATA IPL 2026, which will take place from March 28 to April 12, 2026.
As several Indian states will be holding State Assembly elections during this period, the complete IPL 2026 schedule will be released once the election dates are finalized.
IPL 2026 Begins with a Blockbuster Clash
The 19th edition of the world’s biggest T20 cricket league will kick off with a thrilling opening match as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Fans across India are eagerly waiting as IPL once again brings together the biggest cricket stars and passionate supporters.
Matches Across 10 Major Indian Cities
During the first phase, 20 exciting matches will be played across 10 venues:
Bengaluru
Mumbai
Guwahati
New Chandigarh
Lucknow
Kolkata
Chennai
Delhi
Ahmedabad
Hyderabad
These cities will host some of the most anticipated clashes of the early season.
Double-Headers and Match Timings
The first phase will feature four double-header match days.
Match timings will be:
Afternoon matches: 03:30 PM IST
Evening matches: 07:30 PM IST
After the opening match, Mumbai Indians (MI) will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
First Double-Header of the Season
The first double-header will take place on April 4, 2026:
Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Fans can expect high-intensity cricket action on that day.
Home Venues and Special Arrangements
Rajasthan Royals (RR) will begin their home campaign in Guwahati, hosting matches against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI).
Meanwhile:
Punjab Kings (PBKS) will play early home matches in New Chandigarh
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host five matches in Bengaluru and two matches in Raipur
Punjab Kings will later host games in Dharamshala
Rajasthan Royals will also play home matches in Jaipur
Important Note on Bengaluru Matches
Matches scheduled in Bengaluru are subject to final approval by the Expert Committee appointed by the Government of Karnataka.
The committee will conduct a stadium inspection and match-day simulation on March 13, 2026, to ensure that the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is fully prepared to host IPL matches safely.
Cricket Fever Returns
With the return of the IPL, millions of cricket fans across India and the world are ready for another thrilling season of six-hitting action, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments.
The detailed match schedule for the first phase of TATA IPL 2026 can be accessed through the official IPL channels.
DEVAJIT SAIKIA
Honorary Secretary
BCCI