The Indian Premier League has officially unveiled the schedule for the 2026 playoffs, setting the stage for the final stretch of one of cricket’s most-watched tournaments.
After 70 league-stage matches packed with dramatic finishes, standout individual performances and intense playoff races, the tournament now heads into its decisive knockout phase.
The first playoff clash, Qualifier 1, will be held on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. The match will feature the top two teams on the points table, with the winner securing a direct place in the final.
The action will then move to the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will host the Eliminator on May 27. This high-stakes fixture will see the third and fourth-placed teams battle to stay alive in the competition.
The same venue will also host Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will face the winner of the Eliminator to decide the second finalist.
The tournament will culminate with the IPL 2026 Final on May 31 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad — the world’s largest cricket stadium — where the new champion will be crowned.
According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the playoffs will be staged across three venues this season because of operational and logistical considerations.
Originally, Bengaluru had been designated to host the final. However, the venue was shifted after certain requirements raised by local authorities and the state association were found to be outside the scope of the BCCI’s established protocols.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
- Qualifier 1 — May 26 — HPCA Stadium
- Eliminator — May 27 — New International Cricket Stadium
- Qualifier 2 — May 29 — New International Cricket Stadium
- Final — May 31 — Narendra Modi Stadium
