After much delay, the BCCI finally announced the first phase schedule of IPL 2026 on Wednesday. Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, as expected, is slated to host the opening encounter between RCB & SRH on March 28. But as has been the case so far, the suspense over Bengaluru as the venue, continues.
IPL schedule 2026 announced, Bengaluru needs clearance
After the ugly stampede that took place during the victory ceremony of RCB, outside the stadium last year, it seems the authorities/ people concerned do not want to take any chances. So despite being M Chinnaswamy Stadium being allotted the matches, the final decision will only be taken on March 13.
As per a statement by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, the matches in Bengaluru are subject to ‘clearance from the Expert Committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka’. The statement read — “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.”
Situation precarious for RCB?
While that is great from the safety standpoint, but that puts RCB in a bit of a precarious position. While all teams will have some sort of home advantage, RCB might not have that, if the matches don’t end up happening in Bengaluru. Nonetheless, the decision could be made soon.
In this first phase, they play four matches — vs SRH, MI, RR, and CSK. They would like to continue their rich vain of form, that they had displayed last year, under the leadership of Rajat Patidar.
Cricket
IPL 2026 schedule announced, RCB vs SRH on March 28; check Phase 1 fixtures
