The wait is finally over! The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially pulled back the curtain on the first phase of the TATA IPL 2026. As the summer heat begins to rise, so does the excitement for the 19th edition of the world’s most lucrative T20 league.
Due to the upcoming State Assembly elections in three Indian states, the BCCI has opted for a phased release of the fixtures. Lotus365 Blue The initial schedule covers the first 16 days of the tournament, featuring 20 high-octane matches from March 28 to April 12, 2026.
The Grand Opening: Champions vs. Challengers
The tournament kicks off in spectacular fashion on Saturday, March 28, at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. In a repeat of high-stakes battles past, the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will host Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
For RCB fans, the atmosphere will be electric. After clinching their maiden title last season, the “Men in Bold” return to their fortress not as hunters, but as the hunted.
Key Highlights of Phase 1
- Blockbuster Opening Weekend: After the RCB-SRH opener, Sunday sees a heavyweight clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Wankhede Stadium.
- The Southern Derby: Mark your calendars for April 5, when RCB takes on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Bengaluru—a match that always stops the nation.
- New Home Grounds: Rajasthan Royals (RR) will start their campaign at their second home in Guwahati, hosting CSK and MI. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings (PBKS) will play their early fixtures at the new PCA Stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh).
- Double Headers: The first phase includes four double-header days, with afternoon games starting at 3:30 PM IST and evening games at 7:30 PM IST.
TATA IPL 2026: First Phase Match List
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 28 | RCB vs SRH | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| March 29 | MI vs KKR | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| March 30 | RR vs CSK | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| March 31 | PBKS vs GT | Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
| April 1 | LSG vs DC | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| April 2 | KKR vs SRH | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| April 3 | CSK vs PBKS | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| April 4 | DC vs MI | Delhi | 3:30 PM |
| April 4 | GT vs RR | Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
| April 5 | SRH vs LSG | Hyderabad | 3:30 PM |
| April 5 | RCB vs CSK | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| April 6 | KKR vs PBKS | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| April 7 | RR vs MI | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| April 8 | DC vs GT | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| April 9 | KKR vs LSG | Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| April 10 | RR vs RCB | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| April 11 | PBKS vs SRH | Mullanpur | 3:30 PM |
| April 11 | CSK vs DC | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| April 12 | LSG vs GT | Lucknow | 3:30 PM |
| April 12 | MI vs RCB | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
What to Watch Out For?
This season is set to be the biggest in history, with the tournament expanding to 84 matches.
One of the biggest talking points is the major pre-season trade that saw Ravindra Jadeja move to Rajasthan Royals and Sanju Samson heading to Chennai Super Kings. Seeing these stalwarts in new colors during the opening weeks will be a surreal experience for many fans.
Additionally, the BCCI has noted that matches in Bengaluru are subject to final clearance from the Karnataka government’s expert committee following safety upgrades at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
When is the Full Schedule Coming?
The BCCI is working closely with government and local authorities. Once the Election Commission of India announces the poll dates for the assembly elections, the remaining schedule for the league stage and the playoffs will be finalized.
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates, team previews, and expert analysis as we head toward March 28!
Which match are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!
