The wait is finally over! The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially pulled back the curtain on the first phase of the TATA IPL 2026. Following their historic maiden title win in 2025, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to begin their title defense at home in what promises to be an electric atmosphere at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Because of upcoming State Assembly elections in several regions, the BCCI has opted for a phased announcement, Lotus365 Blue revealing the first 20 matches of the tournament spanning from March 28 to April 12, 2026.

The Grand Opener: RCB vs SRH

In a rematch of classic high-scoring thrillers, defending champions RCB will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the tournament opener on Saturday, March 28. With Rajat Patidar leading the charge and the legendary Virat Kohli by his side, the Chinnaswamy is expected to be a sea of red as fans celebrate their champions.

IPL 2026 Phase 1: Full Match Schedule (March 28 – April 12)

The first phase features 20 matches across 10 iconic venues. The schedule includes four double-headers, with afternoon games starting at 3:30 PM IST and evening clashes at 7:30 PM IST.

Key Highlights & Venue Insights

• The 84-Match Marathon: This season is set to be the largest yet, with 84 total matches scheduled as the league expands its window.

• Secondary Homes: Several teams are utilizing "home away from home" venues. Rajasthan Royals will begin their campaign in Guwahati, while Punjab Kings will play their initial home games at the new stadium in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh).

• Marquee Clashes: Aside from the opener, the first phase includes high-voltage games like RCB vs CSK (April 5) and MI vs KKR (March 29).

• Election Impact: The BCCI is working closely with the Election Commission. The schedule for the remaining matches (Phase 2) will be announced once the poll dates for West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu are finalized.

What’s Next?

The tournament is expected to run until May 31, 2026, with the grand finale tentatively scheduled to return to Bengaluru. Fans are advised to keep an eye on official ticketing partners like BookMyShow and Paytm Insider, as tickets for the opening matches are expected to sell out in record time.

Stay tuned for more updates as we bring you team previews, squad news, and the Phase 2 announcement!