The stage is set for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League, which kicks off on March 28, 2026, in Bengaluru. Following the IPL tradition of having the defending champions host the inaugural match, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first match of IPL 2026 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
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This marks the third consecutive year—and the seventh time overall—that RCB has featured in the season opener. Interestingly, this is only the second time the franchise has hosted the opening game at home since the league’s very first match back in 2008. Given RCB’s huge fan base, organisers want to capitalise on the opportunity, despite the team’s underwhelming performance through 2024.
Related Article：3 Teams That Have Never Played an IPL Opener
Teams That Played The Most Opening Match in IPL
#1 Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings ranks at the top, having played the most opening match in IPL history, featuring in 9 of their 17 appearances so far. The Yellow Army won the title in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023; consequently, they were awarded the opportunity to host the following season’s inaugural matches in 2011, 2012, 2019, 2022, and 2024. Apart from those, they were also part of the season openers in 2009, 2018, 2020, and 2023.
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Their first appearance first match in IPL was in 2009 at Newlands, Cape Town, where they lost to the Mumbai Indians by 19 runs. Their most recent appearance was in 2024, when they hosted RCB at Chepauk and won by 6 wickets. Overall, they hold a 55% win record in season openers, winning 5 of their 9 matches.
#2 Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians, who hold the joint record for the most IPL titles (5), are 2nd on the list of teams that played the most opening match in IPL, featuring 8 times in total. They participated in the first match of the season in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021. With the 2026 season approaching, it has now been five straight seasons that they have not been part of the opener. Historically, the Mumbai Indians do not enjoy playing in inaugural matches, as they hold a poor track record; they have won only twice (in 2009 and 2012), both times against the Chennai Super Kings.
#3 Kolkata Knight Riders
The Kolkata Knight Riders are among the most successful franchises in IPL history. With three titles under their belt, they trail only the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, who have each secured five.
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It is no surprise, then, that KKR ranks among the top three teams that featured in the most opening match in IPL. They were part of cricket history when they faced RCB in the very first match of the IPL in 2008, winning staggeringly by a whopping 140-run margin. In that game, Brendon McCullum bludgeoned the RCB bowlers with a legendary counter-attacking knock of 158 off just 73 balls*. Kolkata Knight Riders boast an exceptional track record in season openers, winning six of their eight matches for an impressive win percentage of 75%.
#4 Royal Challengers Bengaluru
For the first time as defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have secured the right to host the season’s first match in IPL. They are set to take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the inaugural match of IPL 2026 on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
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After hosting the very first match in IPL back in 2008, RCB went through a long lean spell, not appearing in another season opener until 2017. As their fanbase grew, the league began featuring them in inaugural matches more regularly; consequently, they played in five opening matches between 2017 and 2025. Despite their popularity, they do not have a strong track record in season openers, winning only two of their six matches for a win percentage of 33.33%.
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#5 Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad currently ranks 5th among teams with the most inaugural match appearances in the IPL. To date, they have featured in a season opener just once, in 2017. In that match, they secured a comfortable 35-run victory over RCB at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The upcoming clash against RCB in this 19th edition will mark their second appearance in the season’s first match in IPL.
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The upcoming clash against RCB in this 19th edition will mark their second appearance in an IPL season opener. Among the other active franchises, the Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) in 2013 and the Gujarat Titans in 2024 are the only other teams to have featured in an inaugural match. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants have yet to play in the first match in IPL.
