IPL 2026 Playoffs Full Schedule Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and Final Venue Details Confirmed
The wait is over. BCCI has confirmed the complete playoffs schedule for IPL 2026 and the knockout stage is spread across three cities — Dharamshala, Mullanpur (New Chandigarh), and Ahmedabad. Four matches. Four high-stakes nights. One champion crowned on May 31.
Here is everything you need to know about dates, venues, and how the playoff format plays out.
Complete IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
| Match | Date | Day | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | May 26 | Tuesday | HPCA Stadium | Dharamshala |
| Eliminator | May 27 | Wednesday | New International Cricket Stadium | Mullanpur, New Chandigarh |
| Qualifier 2 | May 29 | Friday | New International Cricket Stadium | Mullanpur, New Chandigarh |
| Final | May 31 | Sunday | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad |
All matches start at 7:30 PM IST. The league stage ends on May 24, giving the top four teams a couple of days before the action kicks off in Dharamshala.
How the IPL Playoffs Format Works
The IPL uses a page playoff system, not a straight knockout. It gives the top two teams on the IPL 2026 points table an extra life if they stumble early in the playoffs.
Here is how it flows:
- Qualifier 1 (May 26): Top two teams face off. Winner goes straight to the final.
- Eliminator (May 27): Third vs fourth on the table. Loser is out, winner stays alive.
- Qualifier 2 (May 29): Loser of Qualifier 1 meets the Eliminator winner. One spot in the final is on the line. Loser goes home.
- Final (May 31): The two remaining teams play for the title at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
The biggest advantage of finishing in the top two is clear — you get two shots at reaching the final. Third and fourth only get one.
Venue Breakdown: All Three Playoff Grounds
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala — Qualifier 1 on May 26
The HPCA Stadium is one of the most visually striking grounds in Indian cricket. Set against the Dhauladhar mountain range, the atmosphere here is unlike anything you get at a city venue. It sits at high altitude, and the conditions tend to assist pace bowlers — especially early in the match.
Teams that rely on their seam attack will fancy playing here. Expect toss to be a big talking point, and dew in the second half could shift momentum.
Stadium capacity: Approximately 23,000
New International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) — Eliminator May 27 and Qualifier 2 May 29
Mullanpur gets the double hosting duty this season. The New International Cricket Stadium is a relatively modern venue that has quickly stepped up to international-level cricket. Two matches in three days here means the ground staff will have their hands full, but conditions are expected to stay consistent.
No major rain concerns are predicted for these dates. The pitch is likely to offer good pace and bounce early, settling into a decent batting surface by the middle overs.
Stadium capacity: Approximately 30,000
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad — Final on May 31
The biggest cricket stadium on the planet. That is what the IPL 2026 Final is being played at. With a capacity of 1,32,000 spectators, the atmosphere on May 31 night is going to be something else entirely.
Ahmedabad has now become the go-to final venue for BCCI. In the last five seasons, four finals have been played here:
| Year | Winner at Ahmedabad Final |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Gujarat Titans |
| 2023 | Chennai Super Kings |
| 2025 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 2026 | To Be Decided |
Heavy dew after 9 PM is common at this venue, which historically tends to favor teams batting second. Captains at this ground almost always prefer to chase, and that trend is likely to continue.
Bengaluru was originally slated to host the final but was dropped by BCCI due to certain requirements from local authorities that went beyond their established protocols. Ahmedabad stepped in and, frankly, it always delivers at this scale.
Which Teams Are Fighting for Playoff Spots?
The league stage runs until May 24. As of now, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been among the stronger sides this season. But nothing is sealed yet, and several teams still have a realistic shot at the top four.
You can track all remaining fixtures on the IPL 2026 match schedule and follow each team’s position live.
Key squads to watch heading into the business end:
- RCB squad and fixtures — defending champions pushing hard for back-to-back titles
- Punjab Kings squad and fixtures — sitting near the top for much of the season
- Mumbai Indians squad and fixtures — always dangerous when it matters
If the top four picture interests you beyond the squad pages, the IPL 2026 squads overview covers all ten teams in one place.
Watching the Playoffs Live
Three venues, four matches, and every game a must-watch. If you cannot make it to Dharamshala, Mullanpur, or Ahmedabad in person, the IPL 2026 live streaming guide has everything you need to catch all the playoff action without missing a ball.
FAQs
What is the full schedule for IPL 2026 Playoffs?
Qualifier 1 is on May 26 at Dharamshala, the Eliminator is on May 27 at Mullanpur, Qualifier 2 is on May 29 at Mullanpur, and the Final is on May 31 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Where is the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 being played?
Qualifier 1 will be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 26, 2026.
Which venue is hosting the IPL 2026 Eliminator and Qualifier 2?
Both the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 are being hosted at the New International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on May 27 and May 29 respectively.
When and where is the IPL 2026 Final?
The IPL 2026 Final is on May 31, Sunday, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Match starts at 7:30 PM IST.
How do the IPL playoffs work?
The top two teams play in Qualifier 1, with the winner going straight to the final. The third and fourth-placed teams play the Eliminator, and the winner faces the Qualifier 1 loser in Qualifier 2 for the second final spot.
Why is the IPL 2026 Final not in Bengaluru?
Bengaluru was the original host but was dropped after local authorities raised demands that fell outside BCCI’s established guidelines. The final was reassigned to Ahmedabad, which has now hosted four IPL finals in five seasons.
