IPL 2026 Opener: RCB vs SRH All Set to Start the Season in Bengaluru. By CricketBinge Desk • Published March 16, 2026 • IPL Share: Facebook Twitter The excitement around the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has already commenced. IPL 2026 will commence on March 28, 2026, with the current champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) going up against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The opening of this season is anticipated to be very energetic as RCB will go into the tournament as the defending champions after winning their first IPL title in 2025. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has published the first phase schedule which includes 20 matches and rest will be issued later. Why Is This Opener Special? The significance of this match is high due to a number of reasons. This will be the first season of IPL in which RCB will open as the defending champions, so the crowd in Bengaluru is even more thrilled. The opener is also a reintroduction of the IPL to the Chinnaswamy stadium which faced uncertainty following a tragic stampede during the celebration of the RCB win in 2025 which led to the death of 11 people. The government has since put in place more stringent safety measures and checks before allowing matches at the venue. RCB will play five matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur during the season. Key Info of the IPL 2026 Opener Match Date Venue City RCB vs SRH March 28, 2026 M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru People are anticipating an exciting battle, particularly when the stars of the teams such as Virat Kohli and Pat Cummins are expected to play. First weekend IPL 2026 Fixtures. There will be three high profile matches in the opening weekend: Date Match Venue Mar 28 RCB vs SRH Bengaluru Mar 29 MI vs KKR Mumbai Mar 30 RR vs CSK Guwahati Other teams like Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are also to be launched at the same opening weekend. The Reasons the Schedule Was Issued in Stages. The IPL 2026 fixtures were released in two parts unlike most of the other seasons of the IPL. This is due to the fact that there are impending elections in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam and this can interfere with the availability of venues and security. The complete plan will be published after dates of elections are decided. What Fans Can Expect? IPL 2026 is projected to be the most expansive season in the history of the tournament with 84 matches planned. IPL is the season of fierce competitions, full stadiums and unforgettable events.For RCB fans, the big question is simple: Can the defending champions successfully defend their crown? One thing is certain, when the first ball is bowled in Bengaluru on March 28, the IPL fever will officially return.
