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IPL 2026 Schedule Announced: Tournament to Begin on March 28
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The much-awaited 19th season of the Indian Premier League is set to begin on March 28, 2026, bringing back two months of high-intensity T20 cricket across multiple cities in India. The upcoming edition is expected to feature 10 teams and a total of 84 matches, making it one of the biggest seasons in the league’s history.
Cricket fans can expect thrilling contests as the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, begin their title defence in the opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The tournament will run until May 31, 2026, when the final is scheduled to be played in Bengaluru, bringing the curtain down on another exciting IPL season.
Key Schedule Highlights
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has released the first phase of the schedule, covering the opening set of matches from March 28 to April 12. The remaining fixtures are expected to be announced later due to scheduling adjustments around state elections in India.
Here are some of the early fixtures announced for the tournament:
| Match | Date | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | March 28 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru |
| Match 2 | March 29 | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Mumbai |
| Match 3 | March 30 | Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals | Guwahati |
| Match 4 | March 31 | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | New Chandigarh |
| Match 5 | April 1 | Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants | Lucknow |
The first double-header of the season is scheduled for April 4, when Delhi Capitals will face Mumbai Indians in the afternoon match, followed by Gujarat Titans taking on Rajasthan Royals in the evening game.
Teams Participating in IPL 2026
A total of 10 franchises will compete in the tournament:
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Mumbai Indians
- Chennai Super Kings
- Kolkata Knight Riders
- Rajasthan Royals
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Delhi Capitals
- Punjab Kings
- Lucknow Super Giants
- Gujarat Titans
Each team will play multiple league matches before the playoff stage begins in late May.
Playoffs and Final
After the league stage concludes, the top four teams will qualify for the playoffs. The knockout stage will begin on May 26, culminating in the IPL 2026 final on May 31 in Bengaluru.
Excitement Builds Ahead of the Season
With several star players returning and teams making strategic changes to their squads, anticipation for the new IPL season is already high. Fans are particularly looking forward to marquee clashes between traditional rivals like Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders.
As the schedule unfolds and the remaining fixtures are announced, the 2026 edition promises another memorable chapter in the history of the Indian Premier League.
