IPL 2026 Full Schedule Announced: Defending Champions RCB to Face SRH in Blockbuster Opener

New Delhi, March 27, 2026 — The wait is finally over for cricket fans across the globe. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the complete schedule for the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

The 19th edition of India’s biggest cricket carnival promises to be a thriller, featuring 74 matches (70 league games and 4 playoffs) spread across multiple cities, culminating in a grand finale at the end of May.

The Opening Clash: A Royal Start

The IPL 2026 season will officially kick off on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

In what is set to be an electrifying tournament opener, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The match will be played under the lights at 7:30 PM IST at Bengaluru’s iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB enters the tournament with a massive target on their back, looking to defend the crown after securing their historic first title in 2025.

Match Timings and Venues

The BCCI has confirmed that the tournament will maintain its traditional double-header format on select weekends.

• Afternoon matches will commence at 3:30 PM IST.

• Evening matches are scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST.

Matches will be hosted across a wide array of venues to bring the game closer to fans. Alongside traditional fortresses like Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, several teams will play early home fixtures in alternative stadiums including Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Jaipur, and Raipur.

TATA IPL 2026: Complete League Phase Schedule

(Note: The dates and venues for the 4 playoff matches, including the Grand Finale scheduled for May 31, will be officially announced by the BCCI at a later stage).