Indian Premier League fixtures 2026: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru play in first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad
First set of IPL fixtures announced up to April 12; watch all games live on Sky Sports Cricket; double-headers to take place on the weekends of April 4-5 and 11-12; Royal Challengers Bengaulru won their first IPL title last season, beating Punjab Kings in the final
Wednesday 18 March 2026 12:25, UK
The Indian Premier League (IPL) schedule has been announced for the first two weeks, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match.
The first set of matches will be played from March 28-April 12, with the full tournament schedule to be announced in due course.
This is due to the fact that "three states are scheduled to undergo State Assembly elections during this period" and so there is a wait to see when poll dates are announced.
- Not got Sky? Stream cricket and more no contract
- Got Sky? Watch live cricket on the Sky Sports app
- Get the Sky Sports push notifications you want
Every game will be live on Sky Sports.
After the opening encounter on Saturday March 28, Mumbai Indians will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on the Sunday.
During this period, the tournament will feature four double-headers, the first of which takes place on April 4 when Delhi Capitals face Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, followed by Gujarat Titans taking on Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Rajasthan Royals will begin their home campaign in Guwahati, where they will host Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, will play their early home fixtures at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
A total of 20 matches will be played across 10 venues in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
Indian Premier League fixtures 2026
All times UK and Ireland; all 3pm unless stated, all games live on Sky Sports
Saturday March 28: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2pm)
Monday March 30: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings
Tuesday March 31: Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans
Wednesday April 1: Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals
Thursday April 2: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Friday April 3: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings
Saturday April 4: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians (11am)
Saturday April 4: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals
Sunday April 5: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants (11am)
Sunday April 5: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings
Monday April 6: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings
Tuesday April 7: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians
Wednesday April 8: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans
Thursday April 9: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants
Friday April 10: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Saturday April 11: Punjab Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (11am)
Saturday April 11: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals
Sunday April 12: Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans (11am)
Sunday April 12: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru