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The wait is finally over. The IPL 2026 season is officially here, promising two months of high-octane cricketing action across India. This year is particularly special as the tournament expands to an 84-match format, giving fans more opportunities to witness their favorite stars in action.
IPL 2026 Schedule: Phase 1
The season kicks off on March 28, 2026, with a blockbuster clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Whether you are tracking your team's home games or planning your fantasy league picks, this IPL 2026 schedule guide is your ultimate resource for the first phase of the tournament.
The BCCI has released the initial fixtures for the 2026 season. All evening matches are scheduled for 7:30 PM IST, while double-header afternoon matches will begin at 3:30 PM IST.
| Match | Date | Matchup | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 28 | RCB vs SRH | M. CHINNASWAMY STADIUM, BENGALURU | 7:30 PM |
| 2 | March 29 | MI vs KKR | WANKHEDE STADIUM, MUMBAI | 7:30 PM |
| 3 | March 30 | RR vs CSK | ACA STADIUM, GUWAHATI | 7:30 PM |
| 4 | March 31 | PBKS vs GT | PCA MYS STADIUM, MULLANPUR | 7:30 PM |
| 5 | April 01 | LSG vs DC | EKANA CRICKET STADIUM, LUCKNOW | 7:30 PM |
| 6 | April 02 | KKR vs SRH | EDEN GARDENS, KOLKATA | 7:30 PM |
| 7 | April 03 | CSK vs PBKS | MA CHIDAMBARAM STADIUM, CHENNAI | 7:30 PM |
| 8 | April 04 | DC vs MI | ARUN JAILEY STADIUM, DELHI | 3:30 PM |
| 9 | April 04 | GT vs RR | NARENDRA MODI STADIUM, AHMEDABAD | 7:30 PM |
| 10 | April 05 | SRH vs LSG | RAJIV GANDHI INTL. STADIUM, HYDERABAD | 3:30 PM |
| 11 | April 05 | RCB vs CSK | M. CHINNASWAMY STADIUM, BENGALURU | 7:30 PM |
| 12 | April 06 | KKR vs PBKS | EDEN GARDENS, KOLKATA | 7:30 PM |
| 13 | April 07 | RR vs MI | ACA STADIUM, GUWAHATI | 7:30 PM |
| 14 | April 08 | DC vs GT | ARUN JAILEY STADIUM, DELHI | 7:30 PM |
| 15 | April 09 | KKR vs LSG | EDEN GARDENS, KOLKATA | 7:30 PM |
| 16 | April 10 | RR vs RCB | ACA STADIUM, GUWAHATI | 7:30 PM |
| 17 | April 11 | PBKS vs SRH | PCA MYS STADIUM, MULLANPUR | 3:30 PM |
| 18 | April 11 | CSK vs DC | MA CHIDAMBARAM STADIUM, CHENNAI | 7:30 PM |
| 19 | April 12 | LSG vs GT | EKANA CRICKET STADIUM, LUCKNOW | 3:30 PM |
| 20 | April 12 | MI vs RCB | WANKHEDE STADIUM, MUMBAI | 7:30 PM |
Key Highlights & "Must-Watch" Games
The IPL match list 2026 features several high-stakes encounters right at the start of the season.
- The Opener (March 28): Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). This is a repeat of the high-scoring thrillers we saw last season.
- The Southern Derby (April 5): RCB vs CSK in Bengaluru is always the most sought-after ticket in the league.
- The Record Deal Debut: Watch out for Rishabh Pant as he leads Lucknow Super Giants for the first time on April 1.
IPL 2026 Venue Distribution
The 2026 season continues the trend of using "secondary" home grounds to bring the IPL to new regions.
- Guwahati (ACA Stadium): Hosting the first three home games for the Rajasthan Royals.
- Mullanpur (PCA MYS Stadium): The new permanent home for Punjab Kings.
- Dharamshala & Raipur: Expected to host matches in Phase 2 of the schedule.
Playoff and Final Dates
While the full IPL 2026 schedule for the later stages will be confirmed soon, the following window has been reserved for the knockout stages:
- Qualifier 1: May 26, 2026
- Eliminator: May 27, 2026
- Qualifier 2: May 29, 2026
- Grand Final: May 31, 2026 (M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru)
As the IPL 2026 schedule unfolds, the intensity is expected to reach an all-time high with the newly expanded format. With more games on the IPL match list 2026, squad depth and player rotation will be the ultimate deciding factors.
Every venue, from the high-scoring M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to the tactical tracks of the Ekana Cricket Stadium, will play a massive role in shaping the points table. Fans should keep a close eye on the mid-season momentum, as the race for the Top 4 will likely come down to the final week in May. Stay tuned as we update the IPL 2026 venue list and full fixtures for Phase 2 as soon as they are officially announced by the BCCI!
FAQ
When does the IPL 2026 season officially start?
The tournament kicks off on March 28, 2026, with the opening match between the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
How many matches are included in the IPL match list 2026?
The 2026 season features an expanded schedule of 84 matches, providing fans with even more cricket action compared to previous seasons.
Why was the schedule released in phases?
The BCCI released the IPL 2026 schedule in phases primarily due to upcoming assembly elections in several states, which required careful coordination of security and logistics across different cities.
Where will the IPL 2026 final be played?
The grand finale is scheduled for May 31, 2026, and will be held at the M. CHINNASWAMY STADIUM in Bengaluru.
Which teams have seen major captaincy changes this year?
The 2026 season features several new leaders, including Riyan Parag taking the helm at Rajasthan Royals and Ajinkya Rahane continuing his leadership role for KKR.
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