The wait is almost over for cricket fans across India and the globe! The IPL 2026 schedule is releasing soon, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) set to announce the first phase of fixtures within hours. And when the schedule drops, you’ll want to be ready with your Official11xplay cricket ID to catch all the action live!

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⏰ IPL 2026 Schedule Announcement: Date & Time Confirmed

The IPL 2026 schedule will be announced on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM IST .

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the first phase of the schedule will cover the initial 20 days of the tournament (approximately March 28 to April 16) . The remaining fixtures will be released later, once assembly election dates in several states are finalized .

Why the Schedule Is Being Released in Phases

The BCCI is adopting a two-phase schedule release due to upcoming state assembly elections in multiple states, including:

• West Bengal

• Tamil Nadu

• Assam

• Kerala

• Puducherry

By staggering the schedule, the board ensures that match venues and security arrangements do not clash with the democratic process. The BCCI is coordinating closely with the Election Commission and local authorities before finalizing fixtures .

Where to Watch the Schedule Announcement

The live telecast of the IPL 2026 schedule announcement will be available on:

• JioHotstar (app and website)

• Star Sports Network

📅 IPL 2026 Tournament Dates at a Glance

🏟️ Opening Match: What We Know So Far

The IPL 2026 opening match will be played on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru .

Which Teams Will Play the Opener?

According to media reports, the opening match could feature:

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – The defending champions

• Punjab Kings (PBKS) – The 2025 runners-up

However, some reports suggest the curtain-raiser could be RCB vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) , given CSK’s massive fan following and marquee status . The BCCI has not yet made an official announcement regarding the teams for the opening match.

IPL Tradition: Defending Champions Host First Match

As per IPL tradition, the first match of the season is usually played at the home ground of the defending champions. RCB won their maiden title in 2025 by defeating Punjab Kings in the final, making the Chinnaswamy Stadium the natural choice for the opening ceremony and first match .

🏏 Complete Tournament Format

The IPL 2026 season will be the biggest yet, featuring:

• 84 matches in total (up from 74 in previous editions)

• 80 league matches

• 4 playoff matches (Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and Final)

• 10 teams competing in a double round-robin format

Each team will play 18 league matches – 9 at home and 9 away .

🏟️ Key Venues for IPL 2026

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru – The Final Venue

The iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium holds special significance for IPL 2026:

• Opening Match: March 28, 2026

• Final: May 31, 2026

• Playoff Match: One playoff game also scheduled

• RCB Home Games: 5 matches at Chinnaswamy

This marks an emotional return for RCB and their fans. Cricket at the stadium had been suspended since June 2025 following a tragic stampede during RCB’s title celebrations, which claimed 11 lives . After rigorous safety audits and infrastructure upgrades, the gates are finally reopening.

“The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than just our home ground; it is where our identity as a team truly comes alive. The energy our fans bring to Bengaluru has always been a driving force for our players.” – Rajesh Menon, CEO, Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Stadium Capacity: 40,000 spectators

Raipur – RCB’s Second Home

RCB will play two “home” matches at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, which has been designated as their second home ground for this season .

Other Major Venues

Matches will be held across 10 major cities, including:

• Mumbai – Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai Indians)

• Chennai – M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai Super Kings)

• Kolkata – Eden Gardens (Kolkata Knight Riders)

• Hyderabad – Rajiv Gandhi Stadium (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

• Delhi – Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi Capitals)

• Lucknow – BRSABV Ekana Stadium (Lucknow Super Giants)

• Ahmedabad – Narendra Modi Stadium (Gujarat Titans)

• Jaipur – Sawai Mansingh Stadium (Rajasthan Royals)

• Dharamsala – HPCA Stadium (alternate venue)

• Guwahati – Barsapara Stadium (Rajasthan Royals’ second home)

🎯 Teams & Captains for IPL 2026

🎯 Get Ready for IPL 2026 with Official11xplay.red

As the excitement builds for IPL 2026, Official11xplay.red is your ultimate companion for the tournament. Whether you’re analyzing team combinations, following live scores, or engaging with the game in real-time, our platform offers everything you need.

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🔥 Pre-Season Preparations Underway

Teams have already begun their preparations for IPL 2026 :

Virat Kohli Begins IPL 2026 Preparations

India and RCB stalwart Virat Kohli has begun preparations for IPL 2026, sharing a video of himself training in the nets at a facility in the United Kingdom . The 39-year-old captioned his Instagram post “IPL 2026” along with an hourglass emoji.

RCB also created a special tribute for Kohli, who completed 18 years with the franchise on March 11. The post read: “19 seasons, 1 team, 1 legendary name. From a promising youngster in 2008 to an irreplaceable icon of the franchise.”

Kohli played a crucial role in RCB’s 2025 title win, amassing 657 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 144.71 .

📺 Broadcast & Live Streaming Details

• Live Telecast (India): Star Sports Network

• Live Streaming (India): JioHotstar app and website

• Match Start Time: 7:30 PM IST (evening matches) / 3:30 PM IST (afternoon matches)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create my Official11xplay ID?

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Deposits are processed almost instantly, so you can start playing right away. Withdrawals follow standard verification procedures but are designed to be as fast and hassle-free as possible. We prioritize secure and swift transactions for all users.

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Absolutely. We use advanced security measures to protect your data and transactions. We are committed to responsible gaming and fair play. Please review our terms-conditions and privacy-policy to understand how we keep your information safe.

When will the IPL 2026 schedule be announced?

The IPL 2026 schedule will be announced on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM IST .

Will the full IPL 2026 schedule be released at once?

No. The BCCI will release the schedule in two phases. The first phase will cover the first 20 days of the tournament (March 28 to approximately April 16). The remaining fixtures will be announced later after election dates are finalized .

When does IPL 2026 start?

IPL 2026 begins on March 28, 2026 .

When is the IPL 2026 final?

The IPL 2026 final will be played on May 31, 2026 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru .

Where can I watch the schedule announcement?

The live telecast will be available on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network .

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