IPL 2026 Phase 1 is Here 8, Your Complete Guide to IPL 2026 Phase 1 Don't Miss a Single Match 9, IPL 2026 Has Arrived.

 

🏏 IPL 2026 Phase 1 Schedule  Everything You Need to Know

📅 Key Dates & Overview

The BCCI announced the first phase of IPL 2026 on March 11, covering matches from March 28 to April 12, 2026. A total of 20 matches will be played across 10 venues: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad

The second phase schedule hasn't been announced yet because three states  Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal  are set to hold Assembly elections during this period. 

🔥 Opening Match

The 19th edition of IPL will kick off with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

When Does It All Begin?

Mark your calendars  March 28, 2026 is when the action gets underway, with Phase 1 running all the way to April 12. That's 20 matches across 10 cities in just over two weeks. The reason BCCI hasn't released the full schedule yet? Assembly elections in Assam, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal mean Phase 2 details are still being worked out. But for now, there's plenty to get excited about.

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The Opening Night You Can't Miss

The tournament kicks off with a blockbuster  defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Home crowd, electric atmosphere, and two strong sides. It's the kind of opener that sets the tone for everything that follows.

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Big Matches to Watch Out For

Phase 1 is packed with mouth-watering fixtures. A few that stand out:

MI vs KKR — always a heavyweight clash

RR vs CSK — two traditional giants going head to head

RCB vs CSK — one of the most watched rivalries in IPL history

MI vs RCB — another one that never disappoints