IPL 2026 playoffs schedule announced, Narendra Modi Stadium to host final, replacing Bengaluru

Narendra Modi Stadium (Photo source: Gaurav Gupta)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoffs, setting the stage for the tournament’s final.

With nearly 50 matches completed, the playoffs will begin with Qualifier 1 on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium. This match will feature the top two teams in the standings, with the winner earning a direct spot in the final. The action 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 in New Chandigarh will also stage Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will take on the winner of the Eliminator to decide the second finalist. This format ensures that teams finishing higher on the table get an added advantage while still keeping the competition intense for others.

The grand finale of IPL 2026 will be held on May 31 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, widely regarded as the world’s largest cricket stadium. The venue is expected to host a high-voltage clash to crown the new champions.

Interestingly, the playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season as a special arrangement due to operational and logistical considerations. Bengaluru was initially scheduled to host the final. However, due to certain requirements from local authorities that fell outside the BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols, the decision was made to shift the summit clash to Ahmedabad.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the defending champions, ended their 18-year wait for the title by defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final. Notably, the previous edition’s final was also held at the Narendra Modi Stadium. This marks the fourth time in the last five years that the venue has hosted the IPL final.

Playoffs Schedule:

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