IPL 2026 Schedule Facts: The schedule of IPL 2026 has been announced. Due to assembly elections in 4 states, BCCI has announced the schedule of only 20 matches. According to this schedule, the first match will be held on March 28 between defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The first match of the tournament will be played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After the announcement of IPL schedule, a coincidence has come to light which will surprise you, let us tell you five big things about this schedule.
Mumbai will become the champion of IPL 2026
ipl 2026 Due to the clash between Bengaluru and Hyderabad in the first match of Mumbai Indians, there are chances of becoming the champion. In fact, 9 years ago in the year 2017, the first match was played between the teams of Bengaluru and Hyderabad and that year the team of Mumbai Indians became the champion.
This will happen in Bengaluru after 18 years
The biggest thing about the IPL schedule is that the first match of IPL will be played in Bengaluru after 18 years. Earlier in the year 2008, when IPL started, the first match was played at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
IPL 2026 SCHEDULE IS OUT.
тАУ The first phase IPL schedule is now out. (Express Sports). pic.twitter.com/K29G6kF6d7
тАФ Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 11, 2026
Bangalore near Chennai
The second big thing about the IPL schedule is that Royal Challengers Bangalore will play the first match of IPL for the 7th time. Chennai Super Kings has played the first match of IPL a maximum of 9 times.
This will happen for the first time
This will be the first time in IPL history that the teams of Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are not playing the first match in two consecutive seasons. The first match took place between KKR and RCB in 2025, the first match will take place between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2026.
Three teams who did not get this good fortune
There are only three teams in IPL which have never played the first match of the season. These teams are Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Supergiants.