With nearly 50 matches already completed, the playoffs will kick off with Qualifier 1 on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium. This clash will feature the top two teams in the standings, with the winner securing a direct place in the final.
The focus will then shift to the New International Cricket Stadium, which will host the Eliminator on May 27 between the third and fourth-placed teams. The same venue will also stage Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will face the Eliminator winner to determine the second finalist. This format rewards teams finishing higher on the table while maintaining intense competition throughout.
The grand finale is scheduled for May 31 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium—the world’s largest cricket stadium—where a high-stakes contest will decide the new champions.
This season’s playoffs will be spread across three venues due to operational and logistical considerations. Initially, Bengaluru was set to host the final, but certain requirements from local authorities that did not align with BCCI protocols led to the summit clash being moved to Ahmedabad.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18-year title drought in 2025 by defeating Punjab Kings in the final. Notably, last year’s final was also held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, marking the fourth time in the past five years that the venue has hosted the IPL final.
Playoffs Schedule:
Final: May 31 – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
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
