RCB are the defending champions this time around, and they will embark on their journey of a title defence under the leadership of Rajat Patidar.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will face off in the opening fixture at the home of the former on March 28.
Below is the list of fixtures announced for the opening phase of IPL 2026.
| Match No. | Date | Day | Match (Home vs Away) | Venue |
| 1 | 28/03/26 | Sat | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru |
| 2 | 29/03/26 | Sun | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Mumbai |
| 3 | 30/03/26 | Mon | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | Guwahati |
| 4 | 31/03/26 | Tue | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | Mullanpur |
| 5 | 01/04/26 | Wed | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Lucknow |
| 6 | 02/04/26 | Thu | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata |
| 7 | 03/04/26 | Fri | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | Chennai |
| 8 | 04/04/26 | Sat | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Delhi |
| 9 | 04/04/26 | Sat | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | Ahmedabad |
| 10 | 05/04/26 | Sun | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | Hyderabad |
| 11 | 05/04/26 | Sun | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru |
| 12 | 06/04/26 | Mon | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | Kolkata |
| 13 | 07/04/26 | Tue | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians | Guwahati |
| 14 | 08/04/26 | Wed | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans | Delhi |
| 15 | 09/04/26 | Thu | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants | Kolkata |
| 16 | 10/04/26 | Fri | Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Guwahati |
| 17 | 11/04/26 | Sat | Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mullanpur |
| 18 | 11/04/26 | Sat | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals | Chennai |
| 19 | 12/04/26 | Sun | Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans | Lucknow |
| 20 | 12/04/26 | Sun | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Mumbai |
RCB are the defending champions this time around, and they will embark on their journey of a title defence under the leadership of Rajat Patidar.
MI and KKR face off the next day at the Wankhede Stadium, whereas CSK and RR play their respective first games of the campaign in Guwahati on March 30.
As of now, only the schedule for the first 20 games have been declared. Since there are assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, the BCCI will be taking some additional time to release the remaining set of fixtures.
First Published:Â Mar 11, 2026 5:39 PM IST