The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the opening fixtures for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. This marks the return of high-profile cricket to Bengaluru after a year-long suspension following last June’s tragic stampede during the IPL 2025 title celebrations.
The first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule covers the initial 20 days of fixtures, with the remaining matches to be announced in a staggered rollout. This approach allows the BCCI to accommodate upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam and adjust match windows as needed. Playoffs are scheduled to begin on May 26, with the final slated for May 31.
Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary Santosh Menon confirmed that M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will host five of RCB’s home matches, including Qualifier 1 and the final. The team’s remaining two home fixtures will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
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The IPL 2026 will feature 10 teams competing in a double round-robin format, with each side playing the others twice—home and away. The league phase will run until May 24, spanning 80 league games and four playoff matches across 10 major cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.
Enhanced safety protocols will be in place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to prevent incidents similar to the 2025 stampede. Fans, popularly known as the "12th Man Army," will witness RCB defend their title on home turf for the first time in nearly a year.
With the T20 World Cup now concluded, IPL 2026 is expected to bring cricketing action, star power, and fan excitement back to the forefront of India’s sporting calendar, marking the 19th edition as one of the league’s largest and most closely followed seasons.
Also Read: Why Is BCCI Releasing IPL 2026 Fixtures In Two Phases This Season?