Chinnaswamy set to host RCB's IPL 2026 matches — but there's a big twist

NEW DELHI: The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is set to host matches in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season, but there is a significant condition attached.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the first phase of IPL 2026, which will run from March 28 to April 12. The 19th edition of the tournament will begin with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.



However, the matches scheduled at the iconic venue are subject to approval from a government-appointed expert committee.

"As three states are scheduled to undergo State Assembly elections during this period, the full schedule of the tournament will be announced once the poll dates are announced," BCCI said in a release.

A total of 20 matches will be played across 10 venues in the first phase — Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

BCCI also clarified that the matches in Bengaluru will depend on a final safety clearance from the authorities.

"The matches scheduled in Bengaluru are subject to clearance from the Expert Committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka. The committee will conduct a meeting and inspection of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 13, 2026, during which a full-scale mock demonstration of match-day arrangements will be carried out to assess the stadium’s preparedness for hosting IPL matches," BCCI said.

During the first phase, the tournament will feature four double-headers, with afternoon games starting at 03:30 PM IST and evening matches at 07:30 PM IST.

IPL 2026: Schedule

The first double-header of the season is scheduled for April 4, when Delhi Capitals face Mumbai Indians in the afternoon at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, followed by Gujarat Titans taking on Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Rajasthan Royals will start their home campaign in Guwahati, where they will host Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, will play their early home matches at the PCA Stadium.

As per the current plan, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play five home matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur. Punjab Kings will play four home games in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamsala, while Rajasthan Royals will split their home fixtures between Guwahati and Jaipur.

However, the final confirmation for the Bengaluru matches will depend on the outcome of the inspection and clearance by the Karnataka government’s expert committee.