IPL 2026 opening weekend storylines: live tracker for the first five fixtures
IPL 2026 starts on Saturday, March 28, 2026, and this page works as a live-style tracker for the first five nights of the season through Wednesday, April 1. The run opens with a blockbuster opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru, then moves straight into a compact, one-match-per-night stretch.
IPL 2026 first five fixtures
| Match | Date | Time (IST) | Teams | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Scheduled |
| Match 2 | Sunday, March 29, 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Scheduled |
| Match 3 | Monday, March 30, 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Scheduled |
| Match 4 | Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali | Scheduled |
| Match 5 | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | Scheduled |
Live tracker
| Fixture | Start Time | Venue | Live Status / Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCB vs SRH | 7:30 PM IST | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | Pre-match |
| MI vs KKR | 7:30 PM IST | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Pre-match |
| RR vs CSK | 7:30 PM IST | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur | Pre-match |
| PBKS vs GT | 7:30 PM IST | IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali | Pre-match |
| LSG vs DC | 7:30 PM IST | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | Pre-match |
Match-by-match storylines
-
March 28, Bengaluru: The season begins under lights with the blockbuster opener at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
-
March 29, Mumbai: The second fixture brings the first venue switch, moving the tracker to Wankhede Stadium.
-
March 30, Jaipur: The third night keeps the one-match-per-evening rhythm going at Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
-
March 31, Mohali: The fourth stop lands at IS Bindra Stadium, keeping the opening run on schedule.
-
April 1, Lucknow: The five-match stretch closes at Ekana Cricket Stadium with the final confirmed fixture in this opening block.
This tracker is set up to be updated as each of the five scheduled matches begins and finishes. For now, all five fixtures remain scheduled, and no verified results are available yet.