IPL 2026 Schedule Announced: RCB vs SRH to Kick Off Season on March 28 at Chinnaswamy Stadium

The IPL 2026 schedule has officially been unveiled, setting the stage for another thrilling season of the Indian Premier League. The tournament will begin on March 28, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the schedule for the opening phase of the tournament, covering the first 20 days of matches.

RCB vs SRH to Open IPL 2026 Season

The much-anticipated opening clash of IPL 2026 will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The match will be played at RCB’s home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its electrifying atmosphere and high-scoring contests.



RCB enter the new season as the defending champions, having secured their first-ever IPL title last year after defeating Punjab Kings in a memorable final. Their title defence will begin in front of their home fans, making the opening game even more special.

Remaining IPL 2026 Schedule to Be Released Later

While the schedule for the initial 20 days has been announced, the remaining fixtures of IPL 2026 will be released at a later stage.

The cricket board is reportedly planning the remaining matches carefully to avoid scheduling conflicts with upcoming assembly elections in states such as West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu. This step is aimed at ensuring smooth logistics and security arrangements for the tournament.

IPL Franchises Begin Pre-Season Preparations

As excitement builds around IPL 2026, several franchises have already begun training camps and preparation sessions.

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru held a short training camp at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on February 10 to begin their preparations.

• Gujarat Titans, champions of the 2022 season, conducted practice sessions twice at the Miraj International Cricket Stadium in Nathdwara.

These early camps allow teams to evaluate players, build combinations, and sharpen strategies ahead of the competitive season.

Teams Intensify Training Ahead of the Tournament

Other IPL franchises are also stepping up their preparations for the upcoming season.

• Punjab Kings trained in Abu Dhabi in early February and are currently holding a practice camp in Dharamsala.
• Sunrisers Hyderabad, the 2016 IPL champions, began their camp on March 1, focusing initially on domestic players.
• Mumbai Indians, the most successful franchise with five titles, have also started their preparations.
• Rajasthan Royals, the inaugural IPL champions, are expected to assemble in Jaipur for a training camp beginning March 15.
• Kolkata Knight Riders, three-time champions, will begin their pre-season training from March 18.
• Delhi Capitals recently conducted a training session in Hyderabad and are likely to hold another camp in New Delhi.
• Lucknow Super Giants had earlier organised a preparation session in Lucknow.

IPL 2026 Set to Deliver Another Exciting Season

With teams gearing up and the IPL 2026 schedule now partially revealed, fans can look forward to another season packed with high-octane cricket. The opening clash between RCB and SRH promises an exciting start, especially as Bengaluru aim to defend their historic maiden title.

As the remaining fixtures are expected to be announced soon, anticipation around the tournament is only set to grow among cricket fans across the world.