Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will begin their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match of Indian Premier League 2026 on March 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The league confirmed the schedule for the first 20 matches of the season, which will include four double-headers across two weekends in early April. The opening clash in Bengaluru will mark the seventh time RCB have played the first match of an IPL season, but notably the first time they will do so as defending champions after winning the 2025 title.
The second match of the opening weekend will see Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Unlike later weekends in the first phase, the opening weekend will not feature any double-headers.
Matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium were initially uncertain after a tragic stampede during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations last June that claimed 11 lives. However, the Government of Karnataka has provisionally cleared the venue to host matches, pending a final inspection. An expert committee is scheduled to conduct a full-scale mock demonstration of match-day arrangements on March 13 to assess the stadium’s preparedness.
Because assembly elections are scheduled in several states — including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam — the IPL has decided to release the 2026 schedule in two phases. The first phase will consist of 20 matches, with all ten teams playing four games each.
Some franchises will also use secondary venues during the season. RCB are set to host two matches in Raipur, while Punjab Kings will stage three games in Dharamsala. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals will play part of their home schedule in Guwahati before returning to Jaipur later in the tournament.
The opening match will also mark only the second time RCB and SRH have met in an IPL season opener, the previous occasion coming in 2017. 🏏