The Top 4 of IPL 2026 Are Set Full Playoffs Schedule, Key Matchups and What to Expect
After 70 league matches, IPL 2026 has its four Playoff teams. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals will battle it out for the title. RCB face GT in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala on May 26, while SRH take on RR in the Eliminator at New Chandigarh on May 27. The road ends at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on May 31 for the Final.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
| Match | Teams | Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | RCB vs GT | May 26, 2026 (Tue) | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala | 7:30 PM IST |
| Eliminator | SRH vs RR | May 27, 2026 (Wed) | MYIS Stadium, New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM IST |
| Qualifier 2 | Q1 loser vs Eliminator winner | May 29, 2026 (Fri) | MYIS Stadium, New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM IST |
| Final | TBD | May 31, 2026 (Sun) | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM IST |
Check the complete IPL 2026 schedule page for all fixture details and timings.
The Top 4 Teams of IPL 2026 at a Glance
| # | Team | M | W | L | PTS | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 14 | 9 | 5 | 18 | +0.783 |
| 2 | Gujarat Titans | 14 | 9 | 5 | 18 | +0.695 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 14 | 9 | 5 | 18 | +0.524 |
| 4 | Rajasthan Royals | 13 | 7 | 6 | 14 | +0.083 |
Three teams finished on 18 points. RCB grabbed top spot on NRR (+0.783), GT second (+0.695), SRH third (+0.524). RR finished fourth on 14 points. The full IPL 2026 points table shows how tight this season’s league stage was.
Qualifier 1: RCB vs GT May 26, Dharamsala
The winner of Qualifier 1 goes directly to the Final on May 31. The loser gets a second chance in Qualifier 2. This is the biggest match RCB and GT have played this season and it is happening at one of India’s most beautiful and batter-friendly grounds.
Why This Matchup Is Fascinating
RCB and GT met twice in the league stage this season — GT won the first fixture by four wickets on April 30, then RCB hit back to win by five wickets on April 24. One win each. Everything is decided tonight at Dharamsala.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| April 30, 2026 | GT won by 4 wickets (25 balls remaining) |
| April 24, 2026 | RCB won by 5 wickets (7 balls remaining) |
| April 2, 2025 | GT won by 8 wickets |
| May 4, 2024 | RCB won by 4 wickets |
| April 28, 2024 | RCB won by 9 wickets |
The full RCB vs GT head to head timeline shows RCB have the slight edge in recent history but this season is perfectly split between the two sides.
RCB Key Players
- Virat Kohli — 378 runs in 10 matches, averaging 47.25 at a strike rate of 164.34
- Devdutt Padikkal — 308 runs in 10 matches at SR 162.1
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar — 20 wickets in 10 matches, economy 7.62 — standout bowler of the tournament
- Rasikh Salam — 13 wickets in 9 matches — the exciting young gun who has grown into a key role
GT Key Players
- Sai Sudharsan — 525 runs in 10 matches averaging 58.33 — one of the best batters in IPL 2026
- Shubman Gill — 451 runs in 10 matches at SR 167.65 — the captain leads from the front
- Kagiso Rabada — 20 wickets in 10 matches — GT’s most dangerous bowler in any conditions
- Mohammed Siraj — 14 wickets in 10 matches, economy 8.22 — lethal with the new ball
Dharamsala’s thin mountain air means the ball travels far and fast bowlers need to be precise. High totals are common. Dew in evening games can make chasing slightly easier. Both teams are built to score and to take wickets — expect a classic.
For the full squad breakdown heading into Qualifier 1, check the RCB squad page and the GT squad page.
Eliminator: SRH vs RR May 27, New Chandigarh
The loser of the Eliminator goes home. SRH have been the form team of the final weeks of the league stage and go in as favourites, but RR have the experience of big knockout games in their squad.
Why SRH Hold the Edge
SRH dominated RR in all five of their most recent meetings — every single result has gone Hyderabad’s way. That is a remarkable record heading into a knockout match.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| April 25, 2026 | SRH won by 5 wickets (9 balls remaining) |
| April 13, 2026 | SRH won by 57 runs |
| March 23, 2025 | SRH won by 44 runs |
| May 24, 2024 | SRH won by 36 runs |
| May 2, 2024 | SRH won by 1 run |
Five from five. SRH own this fixture right now. The SRH squad page and the RR squad page have the full picture of both sides heading into New Chandigarh.
SRH Key Players
- Ishan Kishan — 447 runs in 10 matches at SR 178.08 — explosive at the top of the order
- Abhishek Sharma — 434 runs in 10 matches at an exceptional SR 202.8 — one of the most dangerous T20 openers in the world right now
- Eshan Malinga — 16 wickets in 10 matches, economy 8.69
- Sakib Hussain — 15 wickets in 10 matches, economy 9.08
RR Key Players
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — 383 runs in 10 matches at a stunning SR 217.61 — the teenage sensation who has taken IPL 2026 by storm
- Dhruv Jurel — 282 runs in 10 matches — the reliable anchor RR have needed all season
- Jofra Archer — 16 wickets in 10 matches — England’s fastest bowler back and dangerous in knockout cricket
- Ravi Bishnoi — wrist spin that can be match-changing on New Chandigarh’s surface
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the name to watch. At 217.61 strike rate over 10 matches this season, he has been arguably the most exciting young batter in the competition. If he fires in the Eliminator, RR have a real chance of flipping the head-to-head pattern.
What Is the Path to the Final?
The Playoffs format in IPL 2026 works like this:
- Qualifier 1 winner — straight to the Final on May 31
- Eliminator winner — goes to Qualifier 2 on May 29
- Qualifier 1 loser — also goes to Qualifier 2 on May 29
- Qualifier 2 winner — reaches the Final
- Eliminator loser — eliminated
So the Qualifier 1 winner gets two bites at the cherry. The Eliminator loser goes home immediately. The pressure is highest on SRH and RR tonight — one mistake and the season is over. For RCB and GT, at least a Qualifier 2 safety net exists.
For all live updates during Playoffs matches, visit the IPL 2026 live streaming guide.
Who Wins IPL 2026?
All four teams have genuine cases:
- RCB — best NRR, Bhuvneshwar’s consistency, Kohli’s experience in big matches
- GT — the most complete batting lineup with Sudharsan, Gill, and Buttler, plus Rabada at his peak
- SRH — form team, explosive top order, and a head-to-head record against RR that gives them confidence
- RR — Sooryavanshi’s unpredictability, Archer’s X-factor, and Bishnoi’s spin could upset anyone
One of these four lifts the trophy at Ahmedabad on May 31.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top 4 teams in IPL 2026?
The IPL 2026 top 4 are Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals. RCB, GT, and SRH all finished on 18 points and were separated by NRR. RR qualified in fourth place with 14 points.
When is the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1?
Qualifier 1 is on May 26, 2026 at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala. RCB face GT at 7:30 PM IST. The winner goes directly to the Final.
When is the IPL 2026 Eliminator?
The Eliminator is on May 27, 2026 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. SRH take on RR at 7:30 PM IST.
Where is the IPL 2026 Final?
The IPL 2026 Final is at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on May 31, 2026.
What is Qualifier 2 in IPL 2026?
Qualifier 2 is on May 29, 2026 at New Chandigarh. The loser of Qualifier 1 plays the winner of the Eliminator. The winner of Qualifier 2 reaches the Final.
Who is the favourite to win IPL 2026?
All four teams have strong cases. GT’s batting depth and Rabada’s form make them a strong pick, but RCB’s consistency all season and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s incredible numbers make them equally dangerous. SRH’s explosive top order could also take them all the way.
