IPL 2026: RCB to kick off title defence against SRH

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will open IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. The schedule for the first phase of the tournament - comprising 20 matches until April 12 - was unveiled on Wednesday, with the itinerary for the remainder of the season set to be finalised only after election dates are announced for the poll-bound states of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam.

Two multi-time winners, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, will square off on the opening Sunday of the season (March 29) at the Wankhede Stadium. Rajasthan Royals will then host Chennai Super Kings in a Monday-night fixture in Guwahati - a clash that will see Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja face their former franchises following the high-profile off-season trade that also involved Sam Curran.

The next two weekends of the competition will both feature double-headers, with RCB taking on CSK in Bengaluru on April 5. The following Sunday will see Mumbai Indians host RCB in the night game of April 12.

Rajasthan Royals will play all three of their home matches in this phase at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati before moving to Jaipur for their remaining four home fixtures.

Phase-1 Schedule