The IPL 2026 schedule is finally out. The next season of this biggest league is going to take place from March 28. Currently, the first phase of the schedule has been released. The first match will be played between defending champions RCB and SRH. Check out the complete schedule and key matches in today’s Spin24Star story.
Phase-Wise Matches Updated
This year, the IPL schedule is released in phases. The reason is the elections in many states. For now, only the first 20 match dates are out. For the remaining 54 matches, it will be released once the election dates are confirmed. In this first phase, each team will play 2 or 3 matches, depending on the group.
IPL 2026 Complete Schedule
The tournament will start with the game between defending champions RCB and SRH. Below are the match details:
| Date | Match | Start Time | Venue |
| March 28, Sat | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs SRH | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| March 29, Sun | Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
| March 30, Mon | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| March 31, Tue | Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans | 7:30 PM | Mullanpur |
| April 1, Wed | Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals | 7:30 PM | Lucknow |
| April 2, Thu | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| April 3, Fri | Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| April 4, Sat | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | 3:30 PM | Delhi |
| April 4, Sat | Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals | 7:30 PM | Ahmedabad |
| April 5, Sun | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | 3:30 PM | Hyderabad |
| April 5, Sun | RCB vs Chennai Super Kings | 7:30 PM | Bengaluru |
| April 6, Mon | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| April 7, Tue | Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| April 8, Wed | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans | 7:30 PM | Delhi |
| April 9, Thu | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants | 7:30 PM | Kolkata |
| April 10, Fri | Rajasthan Royals vs RCB | 7:30 PM | Guwahati |
| April 11, Sat | Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | 3:30 PM | Mullanpur |
| April 11, Sat | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals | 7:30 PM | Chennai |
| April 12, Sun | Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans | 3:30 PM | Lucknow |
| April 12, Sun | Mumbai Indians vs RCB | 7:30 PM | Mumbai |
Double-Header Action in IPL 2026:
Out of the 40 matches, there will be a total of 4 doubleheaders in the tournament. These matches are kept on the weekends to elevate the fun during off days. The first match of the double header will be played at 3:30 PM, while the second will be played at 7:30 PM.
- First: April 4, Saturday – DC vs MI & GT vs RR
- Second: April 5, Sunday- SRH vs LSG & RCB vs CSK
- Third: April 11, Saturday – PBKS vs SRH & LSG vs GT
- Fourth: April 12, Sunday- LSG vs GT & MI vs RCB
Key Matches to Look For
All matches are exciting, but fans wait for a few key ones. In the first phase, these matches will be interesting:
1. RCB vs SRH
The first match of IPL 2026. One is the defending champion; the other has power hitters. Fans will be excited to watch this game, as Virat will be back on the field after so long.
2. RR vs CSK
This will be super exciting. RR’s star Sanju Samson has moved to CSK, while CSK’s key players Jadeja and Sam Curran are now with RR. It will be really interesting to see how they perform against their former teams. Fans are also eager to watch Vaibhav in action.
3. RCB vs CSK
The southern derby of the IPL. Most exciting match in this phase. Players like Dhoni and Kohli will face each other, which makes it a must-watch.
4. MI vs RCB
Fans love the Roko (Rohit-Kohli) bond, but not in the IPL. For this battle, fans of opposite teams will be divided, which makes it more interesting. One side is the defending champion; the other has most of the World Cup 2026-winning players. Also read about Mumbai Indians Squad IPL 2026: Full MI Team and Players List
Where to Catch the Live Action
Fans have multiple ways to watch IPL 2026 matches.
- For live streaming on phones or laptops, you can use Jio Hotstar.
- If you prefer television, all matches will be shown on Star Network channels.
- For live updates, scores, and quick news, follow the coverage online to stay updated with every game.
Conclusion
The IPL 2026 schedule has been released for the first 20 games. The tournament will start with an exciting battle between SRH and RCB. All the teams are set as the tournament kicks off on March 28.
There are many key matches in the first phase to watch. The next phase will be announced soon after the election dates are finalized. Tuned into Spin24star To know more updates on IPL 2026 and the upcoming schedule of phase 2, stay tuned.
FAQs
Q: When will IPL 2026 start?
Ans: IPL 2026 will start from March 28.
Q: Where can I get the latest news for IPL 2026?
Ans: You can check online updates, live scores, and news on sports platforms or official IPL sources.
Q: When is CSK’s first match this season?
Ans: CSK will play their first match on March 30 against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.
Q: How many matches are released in the first phase?
Ans: The first 20 matches scheduled are released. The rest will come after the election dates are finalized.
Q: Which match is the opener of IPL 2026?
Ans: The season opens with RCB vs SRH at Chinnaswamy on March 28.
