Bengaluru/Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially unveiled the schedule for the first phase of TATA IPL 2026 on Wednesday. The 19th edition of the world’s biggest T20 league is set to kick off on March 28, 2026, with a high-voltage clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The Opening Match Details
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will begin their title defense on home turf against the 2024 finalists, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
- Match: RCB vs SRH
- Date: March 28, 2026 (Saturday)
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Phase 1 Highlights (March 28 – April 12)
Due to upcoming State Assembly elections in several states, the BCCI has released the schedule for the first 20 matches only. The remaining fixtures will be announced once the poll dates are finalized.
Key Marquee Clashes:
- March 29: Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Mumbai
- March 30: Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Guwahati
- April 5: Southern Derby – RCB vs CSK – Bengaluru
- April 12: MI vs RCB – Mumbai
What’s New This Season?
- 84-Match Marathon: This season will feature a total of 84 matches, ten more than previous years, as the league moves toward an expanded format.
- Venue Shifts: RCB will play five home games in Bengaluru and two in Raipur. Punjab Kings will split their home games between New Chandigarh and Dharamshala.
- Safety First: Cricket returns to the Chinnaswamy Stadium under strict safety protocols and a 35,000-capacity cap following last year’s safety concerns.
- Mega Trades: Fans are eager to see Ravindra Jadeja in Rajasthan Royals (RR) colors and Sanju Samson leading the charge for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after a historic pre-season trade.