The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the schedule for the IPL 2026 playoffs, setting the stage for the final leg of yet another thrilling season.
After 70 action-packed league matches featuring several standout performances and nail-biting finishes, the tournament will now enter its knockout phase. Qualifier 1, to be played between the top two teams in the points table, will take place on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. The winner of the match will secure a direct spot in the final.
The tournament will then shift to the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will host the Eliminator on May 27 between the teams finishing third and fourth in the standings. The same venue will also stage Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will face the winner of the Eliminator for a place in the final.
The IPL 2026 season finale will be held on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket stadium.
The BCCI stated that the playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season due to special operational and logistical considerations.
Bengaluru had originally been selected to host the final. However, the venue was shifted after certain requirements raised by the local association and authorities reportedly fell outside the BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | May 26 | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala |
| Eliminator | May 27 | New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh |
| Qualifier 2 | May 29 | New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh |
| Final | May 31 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |