IPL 2026 Full Schedule Announced: 12 Venues, 50 Matches in Crucial Second Phase; Key Encounters to Watch

Add as a preferred source on Google

New Delhi, March 25: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the complete schedule for the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, setting up an intense battle for playoff qualification over the next six weeks.

According to the official IPL 2026 schedule, the remainder of the league stage will feature 50 matches from April 13 to May 24, played across 12 venues in India.

The action resumes on April 13, 2026, when Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Rajasthan Royals in Hyderabad, kicking off the decisive phase of the tournament.

With teams entering the final stretch of the league stage, every match could significantly impact the points table and playoff race, making the second phase one of the most exciting periods of the IPL season.

IPL 2026 Venues for Second Phase

The league matches during this phase will be staged across 12 cricket venues, ensuring nationwide engagement for fans.

The venues are:

1. Bengaluru
2. Mumbai
3. Chennai
4. Kolkata
5. Delhi
6. Ahmedabad
7. Hyderabad
8. Lucknow
9. Jaipur
10. Dharamsala
11. Raipur
12. New Chandigarh

Several franchises will also split their home games between multiple venues during this phase.

Punjab Kings will play home matches in New Chandigarh and Dharamsala, including three fixtures in Dharamsala.

Rajasthan Royals will host four home matches in Jaipur, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru will play three matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur.

IPL 2026 Match Timings and Double-Headers

The second phase will feature eight double-headers, giving fans a full day of cricket.

• Afternoon matches: 3:30 PM IST
• Evening matches: 7:30 PM IST

These high-intensity matchdays are expected to play a pivotal role in determining playoff qualification.

IPL 2026 Complete Schedule

10 Key IPL 2026 Reverse Fixtures)

Several blockbuster clashes are lined up in the IPL 2026 schedule, particularly when teams meet again in reverse fixtures later in the league stage.

Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: Arguably the biggest rivalry in IPL history, the MI vs CSK clash rarely disappoints and often has major playoff implications.

• First Match: April 4, 2026 - Mumbai
• Reverse Fixture: May 18, 2026 - Lucknow

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders: The two teams have traditionally been big rivals on the IPL stage, dating back to the very first match of the tournament in 2008.

• First Match: March 28, 2026 - Bengaluru
• Reverse Fixture: May 12, 2026 - Raipur

Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: These teams are known for their aggressive batting units and strong bowling attacks. This year, they have some of the most exciting batters of the T20 format in their ranks.

• First Match: April 13, 2026 - Hyderabad
• Reverse Fixture: May 6, 2026 - Hyderabad

Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals: The north Indian rivals will look to revive their old rivalry in this edition under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer and Riyan Parag.

• First Match: March 31, 2026 - New Chandigarh
• Reverse Fixture: May 9, 2026 - Jaipur

Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Rishabh Pant and his band will be up against Ajinkya Rahane's Knights as UP's flair meets Bengal's exuberance.

• First Match: April 1, 2026 - Lucknow
• Reverse Fixture: May 21, 2026 - Kolkata

Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: A marquee encounter featuring several global T20 superstars will once again set the stage on fire.

• First Match: April 5, 2026 - Mumbai
• Reverse Fixture: May 10, 2026 - Raipur

Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson will be up against his former franchise when Ruturaj Gaikwad's Yellow Brigade takes on the Pink Army to write a new chapter in their rivarly books.

• First Match: April 15, 2026 - Chennai
• Reverse Fixture: May 19, 2026 - Jaipur

Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad: Both sides have proven to be formidable contenders in recent IPL seasons. Shubman Gill's team will take on Pat Cummins & Co.

• First Match: April 16, 2026 - Ahmedabad
• Reverse Fixture: May 22, 2026 - Hyderabad

Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders: Axar Patel and Ajinkya Rahane will lead their respective teams in the battle of east vs west.

• First Match: April 8, 2026 - Delhi
• Reverse Fixture: May 24, 2026 - Kolkata

Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans: Team India's 'Bapu', Axar Patel, will face team from his home state in this contest between Delhi and Ahmedabad.

• First Match: April 2, 2026 - Ahmedabad
• Reverse Fixture: May 13, 2026 - Ahmedabad

The race for the IPL 2026 playoffs is expected to intensify as franchises battle across cities including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, producing high-stakes encounters and dramatic finishes.

As the tournament progresses toward the final weeks of the league stage, fans can expect thrilling contests, iconic rivalries and potentially season-defining reverse fixtures that could determine which four teams reach the IPL 2026 playoffs.