BCCI completes IPL 2026 league schedule with 50 matches across 12 venues from April 13
The 70-match league stage now has a full roadmap. Phase 1 covers 20 matches from March 28 to April 12, and Phase 2 picks up from April 13 and runs through to May 24, when Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals close things out at Eden Gardens.
Eight double-header days across 12 venues
Phase 2 brings eight double-header days into the mix. Afternoon matches will start at 3:30 PM IST, with evening fixtures kicking off at 7:30 PM. On the final day, Mumbai Indians face Rajasthan Royals at 3:30 PM in Mumbai before KKR and DC wrap up the league stage in Kolkata later that evening.
The 12 host cities for the second phase are Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dharamsala, Raipur and New Chandigarh. Phase 1 had already covered 10 venues in the opening fortnight.
Franchises split home matches across cities
Several teams will be playing out of multiple bases. Rajasthan Royals move to Jaipur for four home matches after starting the season in Guwahati. Punjab Kings divide their fixtures between New Chandigarh and Dharamsala, with three of their Phase 2 home games in the Himachal Pradesh hill town. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have three home matches in Bengaluru and two more in Raipur.
The BCCI had to stagger the schedule into two releases because assembly elections in several states clashed with early-season fixtures. Playoff and final venues will be confirmed later.
No opening ceremony as BCCI pays tribute
There will be no opening ceremony for IPL 2026. The board took the decision as a mark of respect for the 11 people who died in a crowd crush outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, during celebrations after RCB's maiden title win. A closing ceremony is planned for May 31, the day of the final.
The season gets underway on Saturday when RCB host Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy, where 11 seats will be left permanently unoccupied in memory of those who lost their lives.
