Chinnaswamy to host IPL 2026 opener between RCB and SRH on March 28

Defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match of IPL 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28.

The key fixture was part of the first phase schedule (March 28 to April 12) announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). The rest of the tournament schedule will be released after the State Assembly election dates of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam are announced. 

Following the opening encounter, the Mumbai Indians go up against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

RCB, Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings will have two home grounds this season. RCB will play five home matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur. PBKS will play four home matches in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamshala, while RR will play three home matches in Guwahati and four in Jaipur.

Matches scheduled in Bengaluru are subject to clearance from the Expert Committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka, following the stampede that claimed 11 lives during RCB’s title-winning celebrations last year. The committee will conduct a meeting and inspection of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday to assess the stadium’s preparedness, the BCCI noted. 

A total of 20 matches will be played in this first phase across 10 venues. Four double headers will be held in this period on weekends. 

The first double-header will take place on April 4 (Delhi Capitals vs. Mumbai Indians, 3.30 p.m. start) in Delhi, followed by Gujarat Titans taking on Rajasthan Royals (7.30 p.m.) in Ahmedabad. 

The high-profile RCB-Chennai Super Kings outing will be held in Bengaluru on April 5 (7.30 p.m.).