BCCI Announces Schedule for First Phase of TATA IPL 2026; Tournament Begins March 28
New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule for the first phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The initial phase of the tournament will be played from March 28 to April 12, 2026, featuring 20 matches across 10 venues in India.
The complete schedule for the 19th edition of the tournament will be released later, as several states are set to hold State Assembly elections during this period. The remaining fixtures will be announced once the election dates are finalized.
The 2026 season will kick off with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28.
Key Matches and Venues
A total of 20 matches in the first phase will be played across the following cities:
- Bengaluru
- Mumbai
- Guwahati
- New Chandigarh
- Lucknow
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Ahmedabad
- Hyderabad
The opening weekend will continue with an exciting clash between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29.
Double-Headers in IPL 2026
The first phase will include four double-header match days, with afternoon matches starting at 3:30 PM IST and evening matches beginning at 7:30 PM IST.
The first double-header will be played on April 4, featuring:
- Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi (Afternoon)
- Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (Evening)
Team Home Campaigns
Rajasthan Royals will begin their home campaign in Guwahati, where they are scheduled to host matches against Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings will play their early home fixtures at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh, as the team prepares for the new season.
IPL 2026 Overview
The 19th edition of the IPL promises another exciting season of T20 cricket, bringing together top international and Indian players. With multiple venues and high-profile clashes scheduled in the first phase, fans can expect a thrilling start to the tournament.
The BCCI is expected to announce the remaining fixtures and playoff schedule once the election timetable is finalized.
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