IPL 2026 to Begin with RCB vs SRH Clash in Bengaluru on March 28

New Delhi, March 2026 : The opening phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is set to begin with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, March 28, according to media reports.

The highly anticipated clash will mark the start of the new IPL season, with the defending champions beginning their campaign at home in front of their supporters in Bengaluru.

Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians will start their season a day later against Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on March 29. The match is expected to attract significant attention as two of the league’s strongest teams face off early in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings will kick off their campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, creating another early highlight in the competition. The contest between these two popular franchises is expected to be one of the key fixtures of the opening phase.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the league has announced the fixtures for the first 20 matches of the season, with the remaining schedule expected to be released later. The opening phase promises several exciting encounters as teams look to build early momentum in their pursuit of playoff qualification.

Last season’s runners-up Punjab Kings will begin their campaign against Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur. The match will give Punjab Kings an opportunity to start their new season strongly after narrowly missing out on the title last year.

Another notable fixture in the opening phase will see Lucknow Super Giants host Delhi Capitals in Lucknow on April 1.

The early part of the tournament will also feature several high-profile matchups that are expected to draw strong fan interest. Among them is the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru on April 5, followed by another major encounter between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mumbai on April 12.

The IPL schedule for this phase includes multiple double-header days, offering fans the chance to watch two matches on the same day. According to the schedule, double-headers will be held on April 4, April 5, April 11, and April 12.

During the opening phase, teams will travel across several venues including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

The full schedule for the first phase of IPL 2026 is expected to be officially announced on Wednesday at 7:00 PM IST through the Star Sports network and the streaming platform JioHotstar. Fans are eagerly awaiting the complete fixture list as the countdown to the new IPL season begins.

Team Maverick