The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule for the first phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The tournament is set to commence on March 28, 2026, featuring a high-octane clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). As the cricketing world prepares for the new season, the board has provided clarity on match timings and the structure of the initial fixtures to ensure fans can plan their viewing schedules accordingly.
Standard Match Timings and Toss Schedule
According to the official release, the IPL 2026 matches will follow two primary time slots. All evening matches are scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST. The toss for these encounters will take place 30 minutes prior to the start of play, at 7:00 PM IST. While the opening night might see a slight delay of a few minutes due to the inaugural ceremony and cultural performances, the standard start time for the rest of the tournament remains fixed, while these evening fixtures are expected to conclude between 11:00 PM and 11:30 PM IST, depending on the pace of play.
Afternoon Fixtures and Double Header Slots
For days featuring two matches, commonly known as double-headers, the first game of the day will be held in the afternoon. These matches are scheduled to start at 3:30 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 3:00 PM IST. The BCCI has structured the first week of the tournament to feature only single evening matches from March 28 to April 3. The introduction of afternoon games will begin from the second weekend of the season, allowing for a gradual build-up of the tournament's intensity.
Opening Match: RCB vs SRH in Bengaluru
The season opener on March 28 will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Despite the opening day falling on a Saturday, the BCCI has opted for a single-match format for the first two days. Consequently, both Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, will feature only one match each, both starting at 7:30 PM IST. This strategic scheduling ensures maximum viewership for the opening weekend without overlapping fixtures.
First Double Header Weekend: April 4 and 5
The first double-header of the 2026 season is slated for April 4. The afternoon session will witness Mumbai Indians taking on Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi at 3:30 PM IST. This will be followed by an evening clash between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad at 7:30 PM IST. The momentum continues on April 5 with another double-header: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants in the afternoon, followed by the marquee clash between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the evening.
Venue Logistics and Phase One Coverage
The current schedule released by the BCCI covers the tournament until April 12. Following the double-header weekend, the league will return to a single-match-per-day format starting April 6, with all games commencing at 7:30 PM IST. The first phase includes matches across various iconic venues, ensuring a pan-India reach from the outset. Officials have indicated that the schedule for the remaining matches will be announced in due course, following the assessment of logistical and administrative requirements for the latter half of the tournament.