IPL 2026 Schedule: Phase 1 Match List, Dates & Venues

IPL 2026 Schedule: Phase 1 Match List, Dates & Venues

The wait is finally over for cricket fans across the globe! The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is set to kick off on March 28, promising more drama, bigger hits, and a longer season than ever before.

While the full schedule depends on upcoming state elections, the BCCI has officially released the Phase 1 schedule, featuring the first 20 high-octane matches. This year is historic because the tournament has expanded to a massive 84-match format, giving fans even more cricket to cheer for.

📅 IPL 2026: Phase 1 Official Match List
 

• RCB vs SRH (28 March): The ultimate season opener in Bengaluru featuring the defending champions.
• MI vs KKR (29 March): A clash of titans at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
• RR vs CSK (30 March): Rajasthan Royals host MS Dhoni’s CSK in the scenic city of Guwahati.
• PBKS vs GT (31 March): Punjab Kings take on Gujarat Titans at the new stadium in New Chandigarh.
• LSG vs DC (01 April): Lucknow Super Giants face Delhi Capitals in a high-voltage home game.
• KKR vs SRH (02 April): A massive showdown at Eden Gardens as Kolkata hosts Hyderabad.
• CSK vs PBKS (03 April): Chennai Super Kings play their first home game at Chepauk against Punjab.
• DC vs MI (04 April): A double-header afternoon clash in Delhi between the Capitals and Mumbai Indians.
• GT vs RR (04 April): Gujarat Titans host the Royals in a Saturday night blockbuster at Ahmedabad.
• SRH vs LSG (05 April): Hyderabad’s home crowd cheers as they take on the Lucknow Super Giants.
• RCB vs CSK (05 April): The biggest rivalry in IPL history lights up Bengaluru on Sunday night.
• KKR vs PBKS (06 April): Kolkata looks to dominate at home against the fighting Punjab Kings.
• RR vs MI (07 April): Mumbai Indians travel to Guwahati to face the Rajasthan Royals.
• DC vs GT (08 April): Delhi Capitals face a tough challenge against Gujarat Titans at the Kotla.
• KKR vs LSG (09 April): An exciting mid-week battle at Eden Gardens between Kolkata and Lucknow.
• RR vs RCB (10 April): The defending champions, RCB, visit Guwahati to take on the Royals.
• PBKS vs SRH (11 April): An afternoon start in New Chandigarh featuring Punjab and Hyderabad.
• CSK vs DC (11 April): Chennai hosts Delhi in a Saturday night spectacle at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
• LSG vs GT (12 April): A fierce rivalry between the two newest teams in Lucknow on Sunday afternoon.

MI vs RCB (12 April): The first phase ends with a massive encounter between MI and RCB in Mumbai.

A Grand Opening in Bengaluru
The season starts with a bang at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will take on the runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). After their historic win last year, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli and his squad to see if they can maintain their dominance.

New Venues and Fresh Energy
This year, the IPL is reaching new corners of India. Rajasthan Royals are scheduled to play their initial home games in Guwahati, bringing the IPL fever to the Northeast. Similarly, Punjab Kings will be hosting their matches at the brand-new stadium in New Chandigarh, offering a fresh experience for the local crowd.

The Road to the Finals
BCCI has confirmed that the tournament will feature a total of 84 matches. While only the first 20 are listed above, the remaining schedule will be announced soon. The grand finale is already locked in for May 31 in Bengaluru, making the city the ultimate hub for cricket this summer.

Double-Header Weekends
Get ready for back-to-back action! The first phase includes two double-header weekends (April 4-5 and April 11-12). With afternoon matches starting at 3:30 PM, cricket lovers can enjoy nearly 8 hours of non-stop entertainment on these days.

Who are you rooting for this season? Whether it's the legacy of MI and CSK or the rising power of GT and LSG, tell us your predictions in the comments below!

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