The BCCI has released the schedule for the upcoming 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is set to kick off on March 28. The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), will face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the opening match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The stadium will host a total of five RCB home matches during the IPL 2026 season, with the remaining two home games taking place in Raipur.
However, the venue has yet to receive final clearance for hosting matches. An inspection is scheduled to take place on March 13 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to assess its readiness for hosting IPL matches. The matches in Bengaluru are contingent upon approval from the Expert Committee appointed by the Government of Karnataka.
In addition to RCB, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals will also split their home games between two venues. Punjab Kings will play four matches in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamsala, while Rajasthan Royals will have three home matches in Guwahati and four in Jaipur.
As of now, the BCCI has only announced the schedule for the first 20 matches, spanning from March 28 to April 12. Fans will have to wait for further updates on the remaining fixtures. The IPL release stated that a full-scale mock demonstration of match-day arrangements will be conducted during the inspection on March 13 to ensure the stadium’s preparedness for hosting matches.
The article was published on March 11, 2026.
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