Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter IPL 2026 with renewed confidence after winning their first IPL title in 2025. The historic victory ended an 18-year wait and came in a thrilling final against Punjab Kings, where RCB secured the championship with a narrow six-run win.
As the new season approaches, fans are eager to see how the defending champions perform. Bengaluru will once again be in the spotlight as the team prepares to defend its crown with a strong squad and a challenging schedule.
The IPL 2026 season will begin with RCB playing the opening match of the tournament at their home ground.
IPL 2026 Schedule Update
So far, the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule has been announced, covering matches until April 12. The complete schedule for the tournament is expected to be released later.
According to the current announcement, all RCB matches in the opening phase will be played in the evening slot starting at 7:30 PM IST. The team will not play any afternoon matches during this period.
The first phase includes a mix of home and away fixtures, giving fans in different cities the chance to watch the defending champions in action.
RCB IPL 2026 Fixtures (First Phase)
The first four matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been confirmed. Two games will be played at home in Bengaluru, while the other two will be away matches.
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2026 | RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| April 5, 2026 | RCB vs Chennai Super Kings | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| April 10, 2026 | Rajasthan Royals vs RCB | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| April 12, 2026 | Mumbai Indians vs RCB | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
The opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad is expected to draw massive attention, as it marks the start of the new season.
RCB Squad for IPL 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have kept a strong core from their championship-winning team while also bringing in several new players for the upcoming season.
New Signings
RCB have added several players to strengthen their squad for IPL 2026.
| Player |
|---|
| Venkatesh Iyer |
| Jacob Duffy |
| Satvik Deswal |
| Mangesh Yadav |
| Jordan Cox |
| Vicky Ostwal |
| Vihaan Malhotra |
| Kanishk Chouhan |
These additions provide depth in both batting and bowling departments.
Retained Players
RCB have retained many key players who were part of their successful campaign last season.
| Player |
|---|
| Rajat Patidar (Captain) |
| Virat Kohli |
| Devdutt Padikkal |
| Phil Salt |
| Jitesh Sharma |
| Krunal Pandya |
| Swapnil Singh |
| Tim David |
| Romario Shepherd |
| Jacob Bethell |
| Josh Hazlewood |
| Yash Dayal |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar |
| Nuwan Thushara |
| Rasikh Salam |
| Abhinandan Singh |
| Suyash Sharma |
This squad combines experienced international players with emerging young talents.
RCB Prepare for Title Defense
As the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will enter IPL 2026 with high expectations. The team’s balanced squad and experienced leadership could make them strong contenders once again.
The early fixtures against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians will be crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the season.
With passionate fans and a powerful lineup, RCB will aim to begin their campaign strongly and continue their quest for another IPL title.
