The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off on March 28, with the final scheduled for May 31. In what will be the biggest season in the tournament’s history, a total of 84 matches will be played among 10 teams, with each side featuring in 16 games.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening clash at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Partial Schedule Released Amid Election Calendar
With Assembly elections scheduled across five states in April-May—including key IPL venues like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam—the BCCI has released only the initial phase of the schedule.
So far, fixtures for the first 20 matches, spanning March 28 to April 12, have been announced. The remaining schedule is expected after further coordination with authorities.
Here is the English version of the schedule from your image:
IPL 2026 – Opening Matches Schedule
| Match | Date | Day | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB vs SRH | March 28 | Saturday | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| MI vs KKR | March 29 | Sunday | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
| RR vs CSK | March 30 | Monday | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| PBKS vs GT | March 31 | Tuesday | 7:30 PM | New Chandigarh |
| LSG vs DC | April 1 | Wednesday | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| KKR vs SRH | April 2 | Thursday | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| CSK vs PBKS | April 3 | Friday | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| DC vs MI | April 4 | Saturday | 3:30 PM | Delhi |
| GT vs RR | April 4 | Saturday | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| SRH vs LSG | April 5 | Sunday | 3:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| RCB vs CSK | April 5 | Sunday | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| KKR vs PBKS | April 6 | Monday | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| RR vs MI | April 7 | Tuesday | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| DC vs GT | April 8 | Wednesday | 7:30 PM | Delhi |
| KKR vs LSG | April 9 | Thursday | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| RR vs RCB | April 10 | Friday | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| PBKS vs SRH | April 11 | Saturday | 3:30 PM | New Chandigarh |
| CSK vs DC | April 11 | Saturday | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| LSG vs GT | April 12 | Sunday | 3:30 PM | Lucknow |
| MI vs RCB | April 12 | Sunday | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
10 Teams in the Fray
The tournament will feature the following teams:
Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans.
Playoff Window Likely from May 26
While official playoff dates are awaited, the timeline suggests:
- Qualifier 1: May 26
- Eliminator: May 27
- Qualifier 2: May 29
- Final: May 31 (Bengaluru)
Matches Across 13 Cities; Raipur Returns After 13 Years
IPL 2026 will be hosted across 13 cities. While seven teams will stick to a single home venue, Bengaluru, Punjab and Rajasthan will use two home grounds each.
Notably, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in Raipur will host IPL matches after a 13-year gap. The last game at the venue was played in 2013 between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. RCB has adopted Raipur as its second home ground this season.
Key Rule Changes This Season
- No Match-Day Practice: Teams cannot practice on match day or use the opposition’s nets under any circumstances.
- Strict Travel Protocols: Players must travel only via designated team buses; family access is restricted to hospitality zones.
- Discipline Measures: Mandatory ID cards for all staff; unauthorized family members barred from dugouts and field areas.
- Cap & Dress Rules: Orange and Purple Cap holders must wear their caps for at least the first two overs while fielding. Sleeveless jerseys are not allowed during post-match presentations.
RCB Enter as Defending Champions
Royal Challengers Bengaluru head into the season as defending champions after clinching their maiden IPL title in 2025, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling final.
Auction Highlights
- Most Expensive Player: Cameron Green (KKR) – ₹25.20 crore
- Top Uncapped Buys: Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma (CSK) – ₹14.20 crore each
Where to Watch
IPL 2026 will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network, with streaming available on Jio Hotstar. Live scores and updates can also be tracked via mobile apps.