IPL 2026: BCCI Announces Schedule For First 16 Days; RCB To Face SRH In Opener

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the schedule for the first 16 days of the upcoming 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The BCCI has currently approved the schedule for the first 16 days, during which 20 matches will be played.

When will the remaining schedule be announced?

The remaining schedule will be announced after the dates of assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam are announced. The 19th season of the tournament will begin on March 28. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the season opener at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Who will contest the IPL 2026 opener?

Usually, the first match of the new season is played between the previous year's finalists, but that will not be the case this time. Rajat Patidar-led RCB won their first IPL trophy by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final. The Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab team will play its first match against Gujarat Titans (GT) on March 31 in Mullanpur. GT was eliminated in the Eliminator last season. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face Rajasthan Royals (RCB) in the first match on March 30. This match will be held in Guwahati.

When will Mumbai Indians face KKR?

Five-time champions CSK had a disappointing last season. Chennai finished at the bottom of the points table at tenth place, winning only four of their 14 matches. RR finished ninth. Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will begin their campaign on March 29. MI will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the first match, which will be held at the Wankhede Stadium. Hardik Pandya-led MI reached Qualifier 2 in IPL 2026, while three-time champions KKR finished seventh in the standings.

What is IPL 2026 Schedule?

March 28, 2026: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bengaluru

March 29, 2026: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai

March 30, 2026: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, Guwahati

March 31, 2026: Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans, Mullanpur

April 1, 2026: Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals, Lucknow

April 2, 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata

April 3, 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings, Chennai

April 4, 2026: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians, Delhi

April 4, 2026: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, Ahmedabad

April 5, 2026: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants, Hyderabad

April 5, 2026: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings, Bengaluru

April 6, 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings, Kolkata

April 7, 2026: Rajasthan Royals vs. Mumbai Indians, Guwahati

April 8, 2026: Delhi Capitals vs. Gujarat Titans, Delhi

April 9, 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata

April 10, 2026: Rajasthan Royals vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore, Guwahati

April 11, 2026: Punjab Kings vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mullanpur

April 11, 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs. Delhi Capitals, Chennai

April 12, 2026: Lucknow Super Giants vs. Gujarat Titans, Lucknow

April 12, 2026: Mumbai Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai