The wait is finally over for millions of cricket fans! The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially pulled back the curtain on the 19th edition of the world's most popular T20 league. Lotus365 Blue On March 11, 2026, the schedule for the first phase of TATA IPL 2026 was announced, setting the stage for a high-octane summer.

The Opening Act: Defending Champions vs. Former Kings

In keeping with tradition, the tournament will be kicked off by the defending champions. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), coming off their historic maiden title win in 2025, will host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the season opener.

  • Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026

  • Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

  • Time: 7:30 PM IST

The return of IPL to the Chinnaswamy is particularly emotional for local fans, as it marks the stadium's comeback to major hosting duties following infrastructure and safety upgrades.

Phase 1 At A Glance

Due to upcoming State Assembly elections in three Indian states, the BCCI has opted for a phased release of the fixtures. The current schedule covers the first 16 days of the tournament.

  • Duration: March 28 to April 12, 2026

  • Matches: 20 high-stakes encounters

  • Venues: 10 cities across India (Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad).

  • Double-Headers: The first phase features four double-headers, with afternoon matches at 3:30 PM IST and evening games at 7:30 PM IST.

Key Matchups to Watch

  1. MI vs KKR (March 29): The five-time champions Mumbai Indians face the formidable Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede in a classic Sunday night showdown.

  2. RR vs CSK (March 30): Rajasthan Royals begin their "home" campaign in Guwahati, taking on the legendary Chennai Super Kings.

  3. The First Double-Header (April 4): A massive Saturday featuring Delhi Capitals vs. Mumbai Indians (Afternoon) followed by Gujarat Titans vs. Rajasthan Royals (Evening).

  4. RCB vs CSK (April 5): The ultimate rivalry returns as Kohli's RCB takes on Dhoni's CSK in Bengaluru.

Interesting Venue Logistics

Several teams are utilizing secondary home grounds in 2026 to expand the league's reach:

  • Rajasthan Royals: Will play early home matches at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.

  • Punjab Kings: Their early fixtures are slated for the new PCA Stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh).

  • RCB: While based in Bengaluru, they are also scheduled to play two home matches in Raipur later in the season.

Why a Partial Schedule?

The BCCI confirmed that as three states are undergoing elections during this window, they are working closely with government and security agencies. The full schedule for the remaining league matches and the playoffs (including the final, rumored to be in Bengaluru) will be announced once the poll dates are finalized.

Conclusion

With 20 matches packed into just over two weeks, the first phase of TATA IPL 2026 promises a sprint start to the marathon season. Whether it's RCB defending their crown or the return of high-intensity cricket to iconic venues, the stage is set for a blockbuster summer.

Stay tuned for the announcement of Phase 2!