IPL 2026 opening day schedule and first match guide
IPL 2026 opens on 28 March 2026, and this guide puts the full launch slate and the first 20 confirmed fixtures in one place. The season starts with Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at 7:30 PM IST at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, then rolls straight into the opening run through 12 April 2026.
Opening-day spotlight
| Fixture | Start Time (IST) | Venue | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | 7:30 PM IST | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Season opener for IPL 2026 |
Key dates to circle
- 28 March: IPL 2026 opens with RCB vs SRH in Bengaluru
- 4 April: First double-header Saturday
- 5 April: First double-header Sunday
- 11 April: Second double-header Saturday
- 12 April: Second double-header Sunday and the end of the first 20-match block
First 20 fixtures in date order
| Match No. | Date | Time (IST) | Teams | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 Mar 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| 2 | 29 Mar 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 3 | 30 Mar 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
| 4 | 31 Mar 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali |
| 5 | 1 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| 6 | 2 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 7 | 3 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 8 | 4 Apr 2026 | 3:30 PM IST | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 9 | 4 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 10 | 5 Apr 2026 | 3:30 PM IST | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
| 11 | 5 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| 12 | 6 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 13 | 7 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| 14 | 8 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| 15 | 9 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| 16 | 10 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
| 17 | 11 Apr 2026 | 3:30 PM IST | Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali |
| 18 | 11 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| 19 | 12 Apr 2026 | 3:30 PM IST | Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| 20 | 12 Apr 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
The first 20-match block runs from 28 March to 12 April 2026. It includes two double-header Saturdays on 4 April and 11 April, plus two double-header Sundays on 5 April and 12 April.
Quick scan notes
- Match 1 opens the season on 28 March in Bengaluru
- Match 2 follows on 29 March at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Match 8 and Match 9 make the first double-header Saturday on 4 April
- Match 10 and Match 11 make the first double-header Sunday on 5 April
- Match 17 and Match 18 make the next double-header Saturday on 11 April
- Match 19 and Match 20 close the first 20-match block on 12 April