The IPL 2026 playoffs schedule is officially out, and the knockout stage will be spread across three venues this season.
Consequently, Qualifier 1 takes place on May 26 in Dharamshala, while the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 head to New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) on May 27 and 29.
Meanwhile, the grand IPL 2026 Final will be played on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket stadium.
In addition, the BCCI confirmed that Bengaluru was originally set to host the final but the venue was shifted due to operational and logistical issues.
This article covers the complete IPL 2026 playoffs schedule, venue details, format breakdown, and key information for every cricket fan.
Complete IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
Here is the confirmed TATA IPL 2026 playoffs schedule as announced by the BCCI on May 6, 2026.
| Match | Date | Venue | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | May 26 | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala | Tuesday |
| Eliminator | May 27 | New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) | Wednesday |
| Qualifier 2 | May 29 | New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) | Friday |
| Final | May 31 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | Sunday |
Notably, all four IPL 2026 playoff matches are spread between May 26 and May 31, giving teams adequate rest days between fixtures.
Furthermore, the BCCI described this three-venue arrangement as a “special case” for the 2026 season.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Venues: A Closer Look
Unlike previous seasons where playoffs were typically held across one or two cities, the IPL 2026 playoff venues are spread across three distinct locations.
Here is a quick comparison of all three IPL 2026 playoff venues.
| Venue | City | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| HPCA Stadium | Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh | ~23,000 |
| New International Cricket Stadium | New Chandigarh (Mullanpur), Punjab | ~38,000 |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | ~1,32,000 |
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala (Qualifier 1)
The HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala is widely regarded as one of the most scenic cricket grounds in the world.
Sitting at an altitude of approximately 1,457 metres above sea level, this venue offers a stunning backdrop of the Dhauladhar mountain range.
Additionally, the stadium has a seating capacity of around 23,000 spectators and has hosted IPL matches as a secondary home for Punjab Kings.
For those wondering, it also hosted five matches during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, including the New Zealand vs India fixture.
The high altitude often assists fast bowlers with extra bounce and movement, so expect the seamers to have a say in Qualifier 1.
New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh (Eliminator and Qualifier 2)
The New International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur (officially the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium) is one of India’s newest cricketing venues.
Owned by the Punjab Cricket Association, it became the home ground of Punjab Kings from the IPL 2024 season onwards.
With a capacity of approximately 38,000 spectators, it features a state-of-the-art herringbone drainage system that allows play to resume within 30 minutes after heavy rain.
As a result, rain delays should not be a major concern for the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 matches here.
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad (Final)
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is the world’s largest cricket stadium with a massive capacity of 1,32,000 spectators.
This venue has hosted the IPL Final three times before, in 2022, 2023, and 2025. Gujarat Titans won at home in 2022, CSK lifted their fifth title here in 2023, and RCB claimed their maiden crown in 2025.
Moreover, it also hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup Final, making it India’s go-to venue for big-ticket cricket events.
Simply put, if you want a grand stage for the IPL 2026 Final, it doesn’t get bigger than Motera.
Why Was the IPL 2026 Final Shifted From Bengaluru to Ahmedabad?
This is the question every RCB fan is asking right now. Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was originally designated to host the IPL 2026 Final.
However, the BCCI officially stated that “certain requirements from the local association and authorities” went beyond its established guidelines.
According to multiple reports, the shift was linked to an MLA ticket controversy that surfaced ahead of the IPL 2026 season in Bengaluru.
Reportedly, Karnataka MLAs had demanded priority ticket allocations for IPL matches, which created complications around crowd management and match-day operations.
As a consequence, the BCCI decided to move the final to Ahmedabad, which has the infrastructure and experience to handle a marquee event of this scale.
This also means defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will not get to play the final at their home ground, even if they qualify.
How Do IPL 2026 Playoffs Work? Format Explained
If you are new to cricket or just need a refresher, here is how the IPL playoffs format works. It is not your standard semi-final setup.
Instead, the IPL uses a Page playoff system (borrowed from Australian sports) that rewards the top two teams with a safety net.
| Stage | What Happens? |
|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | 1st vs 2nd on the points table. Winner goes straight to the Final. Loser still alive (plays Qualifier 2). |
| Eliminator | 3rd vs 4th on the points table. Loser is eliminated. Winner advances to Qualifier 2. |
| Qualifier 2 | Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator. Winner joins the Final. Loser goes home. |
| Final | Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2. The champion is crowned! |
In short, teams finishing 1st and 2nd get two chances to reach the Final, while teams finishing 3rd and 4th must win every single knockout game to survive.
Therefore, the battle for the top two spots on the IPL 2026 points table is just as intense as the playoffs themselves.
IPL Finals at Narendra Modi Stadium: A Quick History
Since Ahmedabad is hosting the IPL 2026 Final, here is a look at past title clashes played at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
| Year | Winner | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans | Narendra Modi Stadium | Won by 7 wickets vs RR |
| 2023 | Chennai Super Kings | Narendra Modi Stadium | Won by 5 wickets vs GT |
| 2025 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Narendra Modi Stadium | Won by 6 runs vs PBKS |
Interestingly, no team has won the IPL Final at Ahmedabad twice. So if RCB make it to the final again, they will have a shot at breaking that trend.
Also, the away team has won the Ahmedabad Final more often than the home side. Only Gujarat Titans have won at their home ground in 2022.
How to Watch IPL 2026 Playoffs Live
If you are not heading to the stadium, here is where you can catch the IPL 2026 playoffs live.
TV Broadcast: All playoff matches will be telecast live on the Star Sports network across India.
Live Streaming: For digital viewers, JioHotstar is the official streaming partner for IPL 2026. You can stream all matches live on the JioHotstar app and website.
Furthermore, every match starts at 7:30 PM IST, so plan your evening accordingly.
Final Verdict: The Grand IPL 2026 Final Will Be Played on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad
The IPL 2026 playoffs schedule brings knockout cricket to three different cities for the first time, adding a fresh flavour to the tournament’s business end.
From the picturesque hills of Dharamshala to the modern arena in Mullanpur and the grand stage at Ahmedabad, each venue offers something unique.
With the league stage still heating up, the race for those four coveted playoff spots is far from settled. Stay tuned for more updates as the IPL 2026 heads into its most thrilling phase yet!
