Top 5 teams who have played IPL opening match most times
Chennai Super Kings lead the list with the most appearances in the opening match.
The Indian Premier League (IPL), since its inception in 2008, has emerged as one of the most competitive and popular T20 cricket leagues across the world.
Over the years, the tournament has witnessed many thrilling matches and iconic performances. Fans eagerly wait for the start of this tournament every year, especially the opening match.
The first match of IPL has always been one of the most-awaited among fans. The opening match of the tournament often involves the defending champions. On that note, let’s take a look at the top five teams that have played the IPL opening match the most times.
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad — 2 appearances
Two appearances and one win are honestly not bad. SRH’s only opening game before IPL 2026 was back in 2017, when they put RCB to the sword by 35 runs in Hyderabad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad were defending champions that year, and they played like it. Now they are back in 2026, except this time the journey is to Bengaluru, and RCB will be the ones feeling at home.
4. Royal Challengers Bengaluru — 7 appearances
Seven opening match appearances, and honestly, people want to see them more. RCB have been part of this league since the inaugural edition in 2008. They played the opening match in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2024, and 2025, and now 2026 makes it seven.
If you are an RCB fan, for most of those years, the opening fixture meant one thing for them: hope, loud and irrational and gone too soon. That changed last season. They arrive in 2026 as champions and hosts.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders – 8 appearances
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been there from the very start and have played in eight opening matches of the IPL. They have appeared in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, and 2025.
If you’ve managed to catch even a couple of those games live, you already know that every single KKR match always feels like something entirely new.
2. Mumbai Indians – 8 appearances
Mumbai Indians have also made eight opening-day appearances, with their matches presenting a diverse range of results over the years, including 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021. They have managed to win five titles, and it is built on their uncanny habit of turning things around.
1. Chennai Super Kings – 9 appearances
The CSK have stolen the show with a record 9 opening day appearances. Chennai Super Kings made their first opening match appearance in 2009, and since then, they have played in 2011, 2012, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
For a lot of us, watching CSK on the opening day has become something of a tradition, while their always being there can be a bit of a pain for rival fans, it’s hard to deny the inevitable return of CSK to the spotlight each year
Which team has played the IPL opening match the most times?
The Chennai Super Kings have played the IPL opening match most times (9).
Which teams will face each other in the first match of IPL 2026?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad will face each other in the opening match of IPL 2026. The game is scheduled for March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
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Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has expertise across a wide range of Olympic sports. While his coverage spans the Olympic spectrum, he is passionate about Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field. Beyond his primary focus areas, Ajay is also an avid kabaddi enthusiast and closely follows the sport.