The schedule for the first phase of IPL 2026 has been officially released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), outlining the fixtures for the opening weeks of the tournament.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will begin their campaign on March 29, 2026, facing the Mumbai Indians in Mumbai.

After finishing eighth in the 2025 season, KKR head into IPL 2026 with a refreshed squad and several new additions as they aim for a stronger performance in the league.

IPL 2026 First Phase Overview

The2026 edition of the Indian Premier League will start on March 28, 2026, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match.

The first phase of the tournament will run from March 28 to April 12, featuring 20 matches across 10 cities. The complete schedule for the remaining matches will be announced later due to the upcoming state assembly elections.

Evening matches during the league are scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST, while double-header days will include afternoon games starting at 3:30 PM IST.

Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2026 Full Match Schedule

KKR will play four matches in the first phase, including three home games at Eden Gardens and one away fixture.

KKR vs Mumbai Indians: Season Opener

Kolkata Knight Riders will start their campaign with an away match against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

Historically, this has been a challenging fixture for KKR, with Mumbai holding a strong head-to-head record. However, the Mumbai Indians have not won the opening match of an IPL season in more than a decade, which could offer KKR a chance to start the tournament on a positive note.

KKR vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens

KKR will return to their home ground, Eden Gardens, on April 2 to face Sunrisers Hyderabad.

In recent seasons, Kolkata has had the upper hand in this rivalry, including winning multiple encounters in the 2024 season. The match is expected to draw strong home support as the team begins its home campaign.

KKR vs Punjab Kings: Key Home Clash

The team will host Punjab Kings on April 6 at Eden Gardens. Historically, KKR have dominated this fixture, but Punjab Kings have previously managed successful high-scoring chases at the venue, making it a potentially competitive contest.

KKR vs Lucknow Super Giants: Final Match of Phase 1

For their final match of the first phase, KKR will face Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens on April 9.

While LSG had the upper hand in the early meetings between the two teams, KKR managed to bounce back with key wins in recent seasons, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.

Kolkata Knight Riders Squad for IPL 2026

KKR enter the 2026 season with a revamped lineup featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging talents.

KKR Squad: