The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will kick off with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. Mumbai Indians, five-time champions, will start their campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium on March 29. Chennai Super Kings will face Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, setting up an early clash between two popular teams.
The league has unveiled the fixtures for the first 20 matches, with more to follow later. The initial phase promises thrilling contests as teams vie for early momentum towards the playoffs. Punjab Kings, last season’s runners-up, will start against Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur, while Lucknow Super Giants will meet Delhi Capitals in Lucknow on April 1.
Key matchups in the opening phase include Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. Chennai Super Kings on April 5 and Mumbai Indians vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 12. Double-header days are scheduled for April 4, 5, 11, and 12, offering fans multiple games to enjoy. Teams will travel to various cities during this phase, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kolkata, Lucknow, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mullanpur.
High-profile clashes are on the cards, with Bengaluru hosting Chennai on April 5 and Mumbai welcoming Bengaluru on April 12. The IPL 2026 first phase schedule will be revealed on Wednesday at 7:00 PM IST on the Star Sports Network and JioHotstar.
