Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will begin their title defence in IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28, 2026. The Indian Premier League's governing body, BCCI, unveiled the schedule for the first phase of the tournament, which includes 20 matches to be played across major cricket venues in India until April 12.

The opening night clash promises fireworks as RCB, lifted by their recent triumph, look to start their campaign with a win in front of a passionate home crowd. The season's inaugural match will be followed by a high-profile contest the next day, with two-time champions Mumbai Indians hosting Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

High-Octane Fixtures and Cross-Country Matchups

One of the early highlights will be the clash between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings on March 30 in Guwahati's Barsapara Stadium. The fixture carries added intrigue as Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja face their former franchises following a blockbuster off-season trade that also involved England all-rounder Sam Curran.

The first phase of the tournament features double-headers on both weekends of April 4–5 and April 11–12. RCB’s fans will be treated to a much-anticipated encounter against CSK on April 5 at home. Later in the phase, RCB will travel to Mumbai to face the Indians under the lights on April 12 — potentially a rematch of a key playoff encounter from the previous season.

Home Venue Updates and Stadium Clearances

Rajasthan Royals will play their first three home matches in Guwahati before shifting base to Jaipur for their remaining four fixtures. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, will split their home games between Mullanpur and Dharamsala, hosting four and three matches respectively.

In a change from previous seasons, RCB will play two of their home games in Raipur, expanding the team’s regional footprint. However, matches in Bengaluru remain subject to regulatory clearance. The BCCI noted that an Expert Committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka will inspect the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 13, 2026.

"The committee will conduct a meeting and inspection of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 13, 2026, during which a full-scale mock demonstration of match-day arrangements will be carried out to assess the stadium's preparedness for hosting IPL matches," the BCCI stated in its official release.

Full Phase-1 Schedule Highlights

• March 28 (Sat): RCB vs SRH — Bengaluru
• March 29 (Sun): MI vs KKR — Mumbai
• March 30 (Mon): RR vs CSK — Guwahati
• April 5 (Sat): RCB vs CSK — Bengaluru
• April 12 (Sun): MI vs RCB — Mumbai

The remainder of the IPL 2026 schedule, including matches from mid-April onwards, will be finalised only after the announcement of election dates in poll-bound states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam. With a balanced mix of marquee matchups, new venue dynamics, and player reunions, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the IPL saga.