IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions: Match-by-match schedule table
IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions: Match-by-match schedule table
The IPL 2026 opening week runs from Match 5 to Match 20, with fixtures spread across India from April 1 to April 12, 2026. According to the schedule release, the remainder of the league stage comprises 50 matches from April 13 to May 24, 2026, across 12 venues in India.
| Match | Date | Time IST | Teams | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match 5 | April 1, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow |
| Match 6 | April 2, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Eden Gardens | Kolkata |
| Match 7 | April 3, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai |
| Match 8 | April 4, 2026 | 3:30 PM | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi |
| Match 9 | April 4, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad |
| Match 10 | April 5, 2026 | 3:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad |
| Match 11 | April 5, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru |
| Match 12 | April 6, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Eden Gardens | Kolkata |
| Match 13 | April 7, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai |
| Match 14 | April 8, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur |
| Match 15 | April 9, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium | Dharamsala |
| Match 16 | April 10, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad |
| Match 17 | April 11, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi |
| Match 18 | April 11, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad |
| Match 19 | April 12, 2026 | 3:30 PM | Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur |
| Match 20 | April 12, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai |
Venue conditions: general context for the opening week
| Venue | City | General context |
|---|---|---|
| Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow | Often rewards disciplined bowling and controlled batting. |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata | Usually brings big crowds and conditions that can suit both pace and spin. |
| M. A. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | Typically offers grip for spinners and value for batters who build innings. |
| Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | Generally a compact ground where timing and boundary-hitting matter. |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | A large venue that can keep totals competitive if bowlers hit their lengths. |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad | Often produces good batting surfaces with room for stroke play. |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | Commonly a high-scoring ground where smaller margins can decide games. |
| Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | Usually favors clean batting and can assist seam early on. |
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | Often encourages balanced contests between bat and ball. |
| Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium | Dharamsala | The altitude and cooler air can aid pace and carry. |
For readers tracking IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions, the key pattern is simple: early evening games are spread across major home grounds, while the two afternoon fixtures on April 4, April 5, and April 12 may play a little differently because daylight and start time can change how the surface behaves. For the full season context, see IPL 2026 schedule and the live IPL 2026 points table once matches begin.
Key takeaway: The opening week gives fans 16 confirmed matches across 10 days, with venue conditions likely to shape how each contest unfolds before the league moves into its 50-match stretch from April 13.
IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions: Venue-by-venue conditions guide
IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions are spread across some of the league’s most familiar high-traffic grounds, with the opening phase running through Match 20 on April 12, 2026 before the 50-match remainder of the league stage begins on April 13 and runs to May 24, 2026, across 12 venues in India, per the official schedule data.
Opening-week schedule: Match 5 to Match 20
| Match number | Date | Match | Venue | City | Time IST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match 5 | April 1, 2026 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| Match 6 | April 2, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Eden Gardens | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Match 7 | April 3, 2026 | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| Match 8 | April 4, 2026 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| Match 9 | April 4, 2026 | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| Match 10 | April 5, 2026 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
| Match 11 | April 5, 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| Match 12 | April 6, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Eden Gardens | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Match 13 | April 7, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | 7:30 PM |
| Match 14 | April 8, 2026 | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | PCA Stadium | Mohali | 7:30 PM |
| Match 15 | April 9, 2026 | Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| Match 16 | April 10, 2026 | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Match 17 | April 11, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants | Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | 7:30 PM |
| Match 18 | April 11, 2026 | Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | 3:30 PM |
| Match 19 | April 12, 2026 | Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings | Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| Match 20 | April 12, 2026 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
Ground-by-ground context for IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions
| Venue | City | General context on match conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow | Typically rewards disciplined bowling and patient batting, with totals often shaped by how well teams manage the middle overs. |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata | Usually offers a lively atmosphere and can suit batters once set, while quality spin and pace variations remain important. |
| M. A. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | Often brings slower, more controlled conditions that can bring spinners and smart batting tempo into the game. |
| Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | Commonly supports scoring if batters commit early, but bowlers who hit hard lengths can still stay in the contest. |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | A large ground that can reward both power hitting and disciplined bowling, depending on how the surface settles. |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad | Usually gives batters value for shots, while seamers and spinners both need variation to control the scoring. |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | Known for quick scoring conditions, so teams often need clean execution with both bat and ball. |
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | Often plays as a balanced venue where timing, placement, and bowling control matter more than pure hitting. |
| PCA Stadium | Mohali | Generally offers assistance for pace early on, making the new ball phase especially important. |
| Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | Frequently favors strokeplay, with chasing sides often feeling comfortable if they keep wickets in hand. |
For readers tracking the broader IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions, the key pattern is simple: the early fixtures are spread across familiar home grounds, so venue rhythm and match timing may matter as much as the names on the teamsheet. For the full season calendar, see the IPL 2026 schedule, and for ongoing standings, check the IPL 2026 points table.
Key takeaway: IPL 2026’s opening week is a venue-heavy stretch, and the conditions at each ground should shape tactics from the first ball onward.
IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions: Frequently Asked Questions
IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions are set from April 1 to April 12, 2026, before the league stage shifts into its remaining 50 matches from April 13 to May 24 across 12 venues in India, according to BCCI-linked schedule reporting and ESPN India’s season guide. For readers tracking the opening stretch, this is the cleanest fixture window to scan alongside IPL 2026 schedule.
Opening week fixtures, match-by-match
| Match | Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | April 1, 2026 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | 7:30 PM IST |
| 6 | April 2, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM IST |
| 7 | April 3, 2026 | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 7:30 PM IST |
| 8 | April 4, 2026 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 3:30 PM IST |
| 9 | April 4, 2026 | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM IST |
| 10 | April 5, 2026 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | 3:30 PM IST |
| 11 | April 5, 2026 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM IST |
| 12 | April 6, 2026 | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM IST |
| 13 | April 7, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | 7:30 PM IST |
| 14 | April 8, 2026 | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur | 7:30 PM IST |
| 15 | April 9, 2026 | Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM IST |
| 16 | April 10, 2026 | Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 7:30 PM IST |
| 17 | April 11, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | 7:30 PM IST |
| 18 | April 11, 2026 | Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 3:30 PM IST |
| 19 | April 12, 2026 | Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | 3:30 PM IST |
| 20 | April 12, 2026 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM IST |
What the venues usually mean for match conditions
| Venue | City | General context |
|---|---|---|
| Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow | Often rewards disciplined bowling and patience more than free-flow stroke play. |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata | Typically offers a lively atmosphere and can suit strong batting sides if the surface settles. |
| M. A. Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | Usually brings slower, lower-scoring contests where spin often stays relevant. |
| Arun Jaitley Stadium | Delhi | Can play compact, with shorter boundaries making timing and execution important. |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | A big-ground setting that can suit both pace and power depending on the surface. |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad | Often gives balanced contests, with conditions varying by pitch and time of day. |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | Commonly associated with high-scoring games and pressure on bowlers. |
| Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | Frequently supports fluent batting, especially under lights. |
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | Usually encourages tactical batting and bowlers who hit consistent lengths. |
| Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium | Mullanpur | A newer venue where adaptability matters more than assumptions. |
For mobile readers, IPL 2026 opening week venues and match conditions are best understood as a venue-led tracker: the early block runs April 1–12, then the season’s remaining 50 league matches begin on April 13. If you want the broader fixture map, check IPL 2026 opening week schedule and IPL 2026 venues.
Key takeaway: The opening-week block runs through April 12 with 16 confirmed fixtures, and the venue context matters because several grounds are known for distinctly different scoring and bowling conditions.