IPL 2026: Playoffs Schedule Announced, Final to Be Held in Ahmedabad
The schedule for the IPL 2026 playoffs has officially been announced, with the knockout matches set to take place in Dharamsala, New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) and Ahmedabad. The BCCI confirmed that the IPL 2026 Playoffs will be staged across three venues "as a special case" due to certain operational and logistical considerations.
The latest IPL 2026 schedule update has already created excitement among cricket fans, especially with the final now set to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The winner of Qualifier 1 will directly secure a place in the IPL 2026 final, giving the top-ranked sides an important advantage in the playoffs.
The same venue will also host Qualifier 2 on May 29. This crucial match will be played between the loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator, with the victorious team advancing to the IPL 2026 final.
Originally, Bengaluru had been selected to host the final. However, the BCCI confirmed that the venue had to be changed due to issues related to local requirements.
"Bengaluru was originally designated to host the Final. However, owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI's established guidelines and protocols, the venue has been shifted and reassigned," the BCCI confirmed in a statement.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, which is one of the biggest cricket venues in the world, has hosted several major IPL matches and finals in recent years.
This time, the BCCI has expanded the playoffs to three venues for IPL 2026.
The final league-stage match of IPL 2026 will be played on May 24, just two days before the first playoff game begins in Dharamsala.
May 26
HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
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
The latest IPL 2026 schedule update has already created excitement among cricket fans, especially with the final now set to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Qualifier 1 to Be Played in Dharamsala
Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 will be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on May 26. The match will feature the top two teams from the IPL 2026 points table after the group stage matches conclude.The winner of Qualifier 1 will directly secure a place in the IPL 2026 final, giving the top-ranked sides an important advantage in the playoffs.
New Chandigarh to Host Eliminator and Qualifier 2
The Eliminator match will take place on May 27 at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh (Mullanpur). This game will feature the teams that finish third and fourth in the IPL 2026 standings.The same venue will also host Qualifier 2 on May 29. This crucial match will be played between the loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator, with the victorious team advancing to the IPL 2026 final.
IPL 2026 Final Shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad
The IPL 2026 final will now be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31.Originally, Bengaluru had been selected to host the final. However, the BCCI confirmed that the venue had to be changed due to issues related to local requirements.
"Bengaluru was originally designated to host the Final. However, owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI's established guidelines and protocols, the venue has been shifted and reassigned," the BCCI confirmed in a statement.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, which is one of the biggest cricket venues in the world, has hosted several major IPL matches and finals in recent years.
Last Season’s IPL Playoffs Venues
Last season, the IPL playoffs were conducted across two venues. New Chandigarh hosted Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, while Ahmedabad staged Qualifier 2 and the final.This time, the BCCI has expanded the playoffs to three venues for IPL 2026.
The final league-stage match of IPL 2026 will be played on May 24, just two days before the first playoff game begins in Dharamsala.
Full IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
Qualifier 1May 26
HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
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
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