The cricket fever is back! The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially pulled back the curtain on the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League. On Wednesday, the schedule for the first phase of TATA IPL 2026 was released, confirming that the world’s biggest T20 league will commence on March 28, 2026.
The Grand Opening: Champions Return Home
In what has become a tradition for the league, the opening match features the defending champions. Following their historic maiden title win last year, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The match is set for Saturday, March 28, with the first ball scheduled for 7:30 PM IST.
Why a Phased Schedule?
As with previous years coinciding with major political events, the BCCI has released only a partial schedule. With State Assembly elections looming in Tamil Nadu, Assam, and West Bengal, the board is coordinating with local authorities and the Election Commission. Lotus365 Blue The remaining fixtures will be announced once the poll dates are finalized to ensure smooth security and logistical arrangements.
Phase 1 Highlights (March 28 – April 12)
The first phase encompasses 20 matches played over 16 days across 10 different venues.
10 Venues: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad.
Double-Headers: Fans can look forward to four double-header days during this window.
Timings: Afternoon matches will begin at 3:30 PM IST, while evening clashes start at 7:30 PM IST.
Secondary Homes: Rajasthan Royals will start their campaign in Guwahati, while Punjab Kings will play their early fixtures at the new stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh).
TATA IPL 2026 Phase 1: Full Fixtures List
Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
Mar 28 (Sat) | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
Mar 29 (Sun) | MI vs KKR | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
Mar 30 (Mon) | RR vs CSK | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
Mar 31 (Tue) | PBKS vs GT | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
Apr 01 (Wed) | LSG vs DC | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
Apr 02 (Thu) | KKR vs SRH | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
Apr 03 (Fri) | CSK vs PBKS | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
Apr 04 (Sat) | DC vs MI | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
Apr 04 (Sat) | GT vs RR | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
Apr 05 (Sun) | SRH vs LSG | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
Apr 05 (Sun) | RCB vs CSK | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
Apr 06 (Mon) | KKR vs PBKS | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
Apr 07 (Tue) | RR vs MI | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
Apr 08 (Wed) | DC vs GT | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
Apr 09 (Thu) | KKR vs LSG | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
Apr 10 (Fri) | RR vs RCB | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
Apr 11 (Sat) | PBKS vs SRH | Mullanpur | 3:30 PM |
Apr 11 (Sat) | CSK vs DC | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
Apr 12 (Sun) | LSG vs GT | Lucknow | 3:30 PM |
Apr 12 (Sun) | MI vs RCB | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
A High-Stakes Season
This season is rumored to be the biggest yet, with reports suggesting an expansion to 84 matches. The rivalry to watch in Phase 1 will undoubtedly be the April 5 clash between RCB and CSK in Bengaluru—a rematch of the high-octane eliminator atmosphere from last season.
Furthermore, the league is buzzing with news of the pre-season trade involving Ravindra Jadeja (now with Rajasthan Royals) and Sanju Samson (now with Chennai Super Kings), both of whom will face their former teams early in the schedule.
Stay tuned as we wait for the BCCI to unveil the "Phase 2" schedule later this month!
