IPL 2026 Full Schedule Out: Which Team Will Kick Off The Season? Check Key Fixtures And First 20 Matches

The schedule for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has been announced, promising another exciting tournament for cricket fans.

The season will begin on March 28, 2026, with an opening clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru.

The league will once again feature the top franchises competing across multiple cities in India. Teams such as Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and others will battle for early points in the tournament.

Here is a detailed look at the opening matches and key fixtures of IPL 2026.

IPL 2026 Opening Match

The tournament kicks off with a high-profile encounter in Bengaluru.

Match 1

Date: March 28, 2026 (Saturday)
Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Venue: Bengaluru

The opening game will set the tone for the season, with fans expecting an exciting start to the tournament.

Key Early Fixtures To Watch

Several big clashes are scheduled in the first week of the tournament. Some of the most anticipated games include:

• Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai on March 29
• Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30
• Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur on March 31
• Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru on April 5

These matches are expected to draw huge attention as some of the league's strongest teams face each other early in the season.

Double-Header Matches Begin In April

IPL 2026 will also feature several double-header days, where two matches are played on the same day. The first such day arrives on April 4, with two games scheduled:

• Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians in Delhi
• Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad

Double-headers give fans a full day of cricket and often create intense competition in the league standings.

Full Schedule OUT !

Match 1: March 28 (Sat) - Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Location: Bengaluru

Match 2: March 29 (Sun) - Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Location: Mumbai

Match 3: March 30 (Mon) - Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings
Location: Guwahati

Match 4: March 31 (Tue) - Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans
Location: Mullanpur

Match 5: April 1 (Wed) - Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals
Location: Lucknow

Match 6: April 2 (Thu) - Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Location: Kolkata

Match 7: April 3 (Fri) - Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings
Location: Chennai

Match 8: April 4 (Sat) - Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians
Location: Delhi

Match 9: April 4 (Sat) - Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals
Location: Ahmedabad

Match 10: April 5 (Sun) - Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants
Location: Hyderabad

Match 11: April 5 (Sun) - Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings
Location: Bengaluru

Match 12: April 6 (Mon) - Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings
Location: Kolkata

Match 13: April 7 (Tue) - Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians
Location: Guwahati

Match 14: April 8 (Wed) - Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans
Location: Delhi

Match 15: April 9 (Thu) - Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants
Location: Kolkata

Match 16: April 10 (Fri) - Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Location: Guwahati

Match 17: April 11 (Sat) - Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Location: Mullanpur

Match 18: April 11 (Sat) - Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals
Location: Chennai

Match 19: April 12 (Sun) - Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans
Location: Lucknow

Match 20: April 12 (Sun) - Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Location: Mumbai

Multiple Cities To Host IPL Matches

The tournament will be played across several major cricket venues in India, including:

• Bengaluru
• Mumbai
• Delhi
• Chennai
• Ahmedabad
• Lucknow
• Hyderabad
• Kolkata
• Guwahati
• Mullanpur

These venues will host matches throughout the season, bringing IPL action to fans across the country.

Excitement Builds For IPL 2026

The IPL continues to be one of the most watched cricket leagues in the world, featuring international stars and top Indian players competing in high-intensity matches.

With the schedule now announced, fans are eagerly waiting for the season to begin and see which team will dominate the early stages of IPL 2026.

The opening weeks promise thrilling contests, fierce rivalries and packed stadiums as the tournament gets underway.