Virat Kohli’s RCB to open IPL 2026 but Bengaluru stadium clearance still pending

The countdown to the 19th season of the Indian Premier League has officially begun. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the schedule for the opening phase of the Indian Premier League 2026, setting the stage for the tournament to begin on March 28.

This first phase will run until April 12 and includes 20 matches across 10 cities. The remainder of the schedule will be revealed later because several Indian states will be conducting assembly elections during this window.

RCB To Launch The Season At Home

The tournament will start with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The clash instantly gives fans a high voltage opening night with one of the league’s most passionate home crowds expected to fill the stadium.

The first weekend keeps the momentum going. On March 29, five time champions Mumbai Indians will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the famous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, promising another blockbuster encounter right at the start of the season.

Double Headers And Packed Match Days

The opening stretch of the tournament will include four double header days. Afternoon matches will begin at 3:30 PM IST while evening games will start at 7:30 PM IST.

The first double header arrives on April 4. Delhi Capitals face Mumbai Indians in Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Later in the evening, Gujarat Titans meet Rajasthan Royals at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Matches during this phase will be spread across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

Teams Split Their Home Venues

Several franchises will divide their home games across different cities this season. Rajasthan Royals will begin their home run in Guwahati before moving to Jaipur later in the competition. Punjab Kings will stage early matches in New Chandigarh before shifting to Dharamshala.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are scheduled to host five matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur.

One final detail still hangs in the balance. The matches planned in Bengaluru will proceed only after the Karnataka government’s expert committee inspects the stadium on March 13 and reviews match day readiness through a full mock demonstration. If cleared, IPL 2026 will roar to life in front of a packed Bengaluru crowd.