RCB IPL 2026 Schedule: Defending Champions' Full Fixtures, Dates & Key Matches
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2026 schedule is confirmed for Phase 1 — and for the first time in their history, RCB walk into this season as defending champions. Here are all confirmed fixtures, venues, timings, and the key matches every RCB fan needs to mark on their calendar right now.
RCB play four confirmed Phase 1 matches in IPL 2026 — two at home in Bengaluru and two away in Guwahati and Mumbai.
Introduction: Don't Miss a Single RCB Match in IPL 2026
When does RCB play their first match of the season? When is the blockbuster RCB vs MI rivalry clash at the Wankhede? Which games will be played under the lights at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium? These are exactly the questions every RCB fan is searching for right now — and you deserve one clear, complete answer.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2026 schedule has been partially confirmed by the BCCI, with Phase 1 fixtures covering matches from 28 March to 12 April 2026 as part of the IPL 2026 Phase 1 schedule with fixtures and venues
. The remaining fixtures will be released once the Election Commission finalises assembly election dates for states including West Bengal and Assam. Importantly, RCB’s home games at Chinnaswamy are also subject to clearance from the Expert Committee of the Government of Karnataka — an inspection was scheduled for 13 March 2026.
Below you will find the complete RCB match schedule with confirmed dates, venues, and match timings — plus venue insights, travel tips, and the four biggest matches you absolutely cannot miss this season.
RCB IPL 2026 Schedule Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| IPL Season | IPL 2026 |
| Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) |
| Captain | Rajat Patidar |
| Home Ground | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Season Opener | 28 March 2026 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Phase 1 Matches | 4 confirmed |
| Format | Double Round-Robin (10 teams, 84 matches) |
| IPL Titles | 1 (2025) |
Note: IPL 2026 features 10 teams in a double round-robin format — each team plays every other side twice, giving RCB 18 league matches in total before playoffs. The Phase 2 schedule will be released shortly following Election Commission clearance.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Full Fixture List — IPL 2026
Below is the official RCB IPL 2026 fixture list as confirmed by the BCCI. All matches include venue, date, and timing.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (IST) | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Mar 2026 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM | Home |
| 05 Apr 2026 | Chennai Super Kings | Chinnaswamy, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM | Home |
| 10 Apr 2026 | Rajasthan Royals | Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati | 7:30 PM | Away |
| 12 Apr 2026 | Mumbai Indians | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM | Away |
government clearance. | All times in IST. | Remaining RCB IPL 2026 fixtures will be updated once BCCI releases the Phase 2 schedule.
Only 4 Royal Challengers Bengaluru schedule matches are officially confirmed so far. The rest — including clashes against KKR, GT, DC, LSG, PBKS, and return legs — will be published here the moment the BCCI drops the full schedule. Bookmark this page and check back regularly.
Venue Insights & Travel Notes for RCB Fans
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Home Ground)
| Date | Day | Opponent | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 March 2026 | Saturday | vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| 05 April 2026 | Sunday | vs Chennai Super Kings | 7:30 PM |
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is the spiritual home of one of cricket’s most passionate fanbases. With a capacity of around 35,000 and a location right in the heart of Bengaluru, the atmosphere on match nights is electric — the RCB faithful are among the loudest and most loyal crowds in the entire IPL. The pitch here traditionally assists batters, with a true surface and short square boundaries that make for high-scoring, entertaining cricket. Both confirmed home fixtures — against SRH and CSK — are must-attend events for fans in the city.
Fan tip: Chinnaswamy is easily accessible via Cubbon Park Metro Station on the Purple Line. Book tickets via BookMyShow early — RCB home games, especially the CSK clash, sell out extremely fast. Plan for heavy traffic around MG Road and Majestic on match evenings.
Important note: Both home fixtures are subject to clearance from the Expert Committee of the Government of Karnataka. AllCric will update this page immediately if any venue changes are confirmed.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati (Away — 10 April)
The Barsapara Stadium serves as Rajasthan Royals’ secondary home ground in 2026 and is one of the IPL’s newer but fastest-growing venues. Capacity sits around 40,000 and the crowd here is passionate and vocal. Guwahati’s weather in early April can be warm and humid — the 7:30 PM evening kick-off makes this a more comfortable fixture for players and travelling fans alike.
Fan tip: Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport connects Guwahati to most major Indian cities. Accommodation near GS Road puts you close to the ground and the city’s best restaurants.
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (Away — 12 April)
The Wankhede Stadium needs no introduction for RCB fans — it is one of the most famous and intimidating venues in world cricket and the home ground of their fiercest rivals, Mumbai Indians. With a capacity of around 33,000 and short square boundaries that produce six-hitting contests, the Sunday evening clash between RCB and MI at the Wankhede is already one of the most anticipated fixtures of Phase 1.
Fan tip: The Wankhede is best accessed via Churchgate Station on Western Railway. Travelling RCB fans should book accommodation in South or Central Mumbai for easy access. Expect a completely sold-out stadium and intense atmosphere from the first ball.
Key RCB Matches to Watch in IPL 2026
1. RCB vs SRH — 28 March 2026 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ⭐ SEASON OPENER
This is not just RCB’s first match — it is the first match of the entire IPL 2026 season. As defending champions, Rajat Patidar leads RCB out under the Chinnaswamy lights in front of their home crowd for what promises to be one of the most electric opening nights in recent IPL memory. Facing Pat Cummins and the destructive Travis Head-Abhishek Sharma opening combination from Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL 2026 squad is no easy task — but RCB at home, carrying the weight of their first-ever title, is a genuinely thrilling contest. The whole of Indian cricket will be watching. Set your alarms now.
2. RCB vs CSK — 5 April 2026 | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ⭐ HOME RIVALRY
Few IPL fixtures carry the emotional weight of RCB vs CSK. The Yellow Army travelling to Bengaluru to face the defending champions at Chinnaswamy — with Ruturaj Gaikwad and MS Dhoni in their ranks — is one of the tournament’s great Sunday evening showdowns. CSK are always dangerous, always disciplined, and always capable of silencing the loudest home crowd. For RCB, this is their chance to send a statement to the rest of the competition in front of their own fans. Expect a full house, a passionate atmosphere, and cricket at its dramatic best.
3. RCB vs RR — 10 April 2026 | Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati
This away fixture on a Friday evening in Guwahati is a fascinating tactical challenge for RCB. Rajasthan Royals under Riyan Parag’s leadership have grown into a dynamic, unpredictable side — and the neutral Barsapara venue levels the playing field for both teams. For RCB, picking up an away win here before heading to Mumbai two days later would be a significant statement of consistency and depth. Playing away in Guwahati and Mumbai within 48 hours makes this one of the toughest stretches of RCB’s Phase 1 campaign.
4. MI vs RCB — 12 April 2026 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai ⭐ RIVALRY MATCH
If the Bengaluru opener is the most anticipated home game, then MI vs RCB at the Wankhede is the most anticipated away fixture of Phase 1. This is arguably the greatest rivalry in IPL history — passionate, intense, and always delivering drama. In 2026, RCB arrive as defending champions, making every MI fan in that 33,000-capacity stadium even more determined to see the Blue Army win. Hardik Pandya vs Rajat Patidar. Wankhede under lights on a Sunday evening — one of the biggest clashes in the Mumbai Indians IPL 2026 match schedule. This is what the IPL was made for.
Final Word: RCB's IPL 2026 Defence Starts Now
You now have everything you need to follow the Royal Challengers Bengaluru IPL 2026 schedule — the confirmed dates, venues, timings, and context for all four Phase 1 fixtures. From the history-making season opener against SRH to the Sunday evening blockbuster at the Wankhede against MI, RCB’s Phase 1 campaign is already one of the most compelling storylines of IPL 2026.
Don’t miss RCB’s historic season opener on 28 March and the unmissable RCB vs MI rivalry on 12 April. If you are watching from home, JioCinema and Star Sports are your go-to platforms for live streaming and broadcast. Set your reminders now — the defending champions need your support from ball one.
Want to know who is in the squad lining up for these fixtures? Head over to our RCB IPL 2026 Squad Analysis for a full breakdown of every player in the RCB roster. You can also explore our IPL 2026 Full Team Previews for in-depth looks at all 10 franchises, or check out the IPL 2026 Full Schedule for every match from 28 March through to the Final.
AllCric is your home for real-time IPL 2026 updates, live scores, match results, fantasy tips, and the most detailed RCB fixtures coverage on the web. Bookmark this page now — we update it immediately whenever the BCCI releases new RCB IPL 2026 fixtures.
👉 For accurate fantasy tips and reliable match predictions, download the AllCric App and visit the AllCric website for expert insights.
❓FAQs
RCB open IPL 2026 on 28 March 2026 (Saturday) against Sunrisers Hyderabad at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru — the first match of the entire IPL 2026 season — at 7:30 PM IST.
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Rajat Patidar is the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026.
RCB matches are broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed on JioCinema in India. Check local broadcast listings for international viewers.
Tickets for RCB home games at Chinnaswamy Stadium are available via BookMyShow — the official IPL ticketing partner. Book early as RCB home games sell out very quickly.
RCB will play 18 league matches in total across IPL 2026 in a double round-robin format before the playoffs. Only 4 Phase 1 fixtures have been confirmed so far.