IPL 2026 Schedule Announcement HIGHLIGHTS: RCB Likely to Take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Tournament Opener. Catch all the LIVE updates from the announcement here at NewsX.com
IPL 2026 Schedule & Venue Announcement HIGHLIGHTS: The schedule for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 edition has been announced and RCB will face SRH in the tournament opener. Initially, it was reported that Royal Challengers Bengaluru who are also the defending champions will play Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the opening encounter. But RCB will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener.
The franchises have already started with their practice sessions ahead of the start of the league. RCB held a small preparation camp at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on February 10. Gujarat Titans who won the title in 2022, which was all their first appearance in the IPL under Hardik Pandya, held practice sessions twice at the Miraj International Cricket Stadium in Nathdwara.
Punjab Kings also trained in Abu Dhabi in early February and are currently running a practice camp in Dharamsala, while Sunrisers Hyderabad began their camp on March 1 with their domestic players. Mumbai Indians have also started their training for the upcoming season.
Rajasthan Royals are likely to assemble in Jaipur for a practice camp from March 15. Kolkata Knight Riders who won the title three times will begin their pre-season camp on March 18. Delhi Capitals had one of their practice sessions in Hyderabad and are expected to have one in New Delhi. Lucknow Super Giants held a preparatory session in Lucknow.
FAQs
The IPL 2026 is scheduled to start on March 28.
The IPL 2026 schedule will be announced today (March 11).
The schedule is being released in two phases due to upcoming state assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
🚨 News 🚨
Presenting the schedule for the first 20 matches of #TATAIPL 2026, to be played from March 28 to April 12, 2026 🗓️
Full schedule will be announced once poll dates are announced for three states set to undergo State Assembly elections.
More details ▶️… pic.twitter.com/8Iq492v8TE
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 11, 2026
Rajasthan Royals will play Chennai Super Kings on March 30 in Guwahati while Punjab Kings will take on Gujarat Titans on March 31 in Chandigarh
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 ⏳@RCBTweets to take on @SunRisers in the season opener in Bengaluru ❤️🧡
Catch the first phase of #TATAIPL 2026 schedule on @StarSportsIndia and @JioHotstar 🙌 pic.twitter.com/L98erPcmTw
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 11, 2026
All Bengaluru games are subject to clearance by expert committee on 13th March
Mumbai Indians will play Kolkata Knight Riders in Mumbai on March 29. While MI will host KKR, Ajinkya Rahane will play at his home ground in the first match