BCCI announces IPL Season 19 schedule: RCB and Hyderabad to clash in opening match

MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially released the schedule for the first phase of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, setting the stage for the 19th edition of the world's premier T20 league.

As anticipated, the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will kick off the tournament on March 28, 2026, hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Phased approach

Due to the upcoming State Assembly elections in three states, the BCCI has adopted a phased approach to the tournament calendar. This initial announcement covers the first 20 matches, scheduled from March 28 to April 12, 2026. The board confirmed that the complete fixture list for the remainder of the season will be unveiled once election dates are finalised, ensuring logistical and security arrangements remain seamless.

Key Highlights of the Opening Phase

• Tournament Opener: RCB vs. SRH, March 28, Bengaluru.
• Total Matches: 20 games across 10 venues.
• Double-Headers: Four double-header days are scheduled during this period.
• Match Timings: Afternoon matches are set for 3:30 PM IST, while evening encounters will commence at 7:30 PM IST.

Notable Fixtures

Following the blockbuster opener, the excitement continues with high-stakes matchups across the country:

• March 29: Mumbai Indians vs. Kolkata Knight Riders (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai).
• March 30: Rajasthan Royals vs. Chennai Super Kings (ACA Stadium, Guwahati). This match will be particularly noteworthy, featuring star player Sanju Samson, who recently made a high-profile move from the Royals to the Super Kings, facing his former side.

IPL 2026: Phase 1 Match Schedule

Match 01 | March 28

• Teams: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad
• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• Time: 7:30 PM IST

Match 02 | March 29

• Teams: Mumbai Indians vs. Kolkata Knight Riders
• Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• Time: 7:30 PM IST

Match 03 | March 30

• Teams: Rajasthan Royals vs. Chennai Super Kings
• Venue: ACA Stadium, Guwahati
• Time: 7:30 PM IST

Match 04 | March 31

• Teams: Punjab Kings vs. Gujarat Titans
• Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium
• Time: 7:30 PM IST

Match 05 | April 01

• Teams: Lucknow Super Giants vs. Delhi Capitals
• Venue: Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
• Time: 7:30 PM IST

Venue readiness

The BCCI noted that fixtures at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru remain subject to final clearance from the Karnataka government’s Expert Committee, which is scheduled to conduct a formal inspection and mock drill at the venue on March 13.

As cricket fans gear up for another thrilling season, the cricket fraternity awaits the announcement of the full schedule to finalise their travel and viewing plans.