IPL 2026 season will begin with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Ahmedabad on March 28, as reported by Indian Express.
Five-time champions Mumbai Indians will kick off their campaign against three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29. Another five-time trophy holders Chennai Super Kings will begin their season against inaugural winners Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.
Previous season’s runners-up Punjab Kings will take on Gujarat Titans on the last day of the month whereas Delhi Capitals will play their first match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1 in Lucknow.
IPL 2026 schedule for first phase:
| 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 |
