The iconic and gigantic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is set to host the grand finale of IPL 2026 scheduled on May 31st. The BCCI announced the schedule for the IPL 2026 playoffs with matches set to be held in Dharamsala, New Chandigarh (Mullanpur), and Ahmedabad. The BCCI has stated that, owing to certain operational and logistical considerations, the Playoffs will be held across three venues “as a special case.”
Qualifier 1 is set to be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, between the top two-ranked teams from the league stage. The winner of that clash will book a direct entry into the final. The Eliminator will be held in New Chandigarh, where the teams finishing 3rd and 4th in the league stage will feature. The same venue has been allocated to host Qualifier 2, which will feature the winner of the Eliminator and the loser of Qualifier 1. The final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
BCCI’s statement on Playoffs schedule.Â
In a statement, BCCI said, “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.”Â
For the record, last season the Playoffs were held at two venues, with New Chandigarh hosting Qualifier 1 and Eliminator, and Ahmedabad hosting Qulifier 2 and the final. The final league game of this season is set to be played on May 24, two days before Qualifier 1.
Playoffs Schedule for IPL 2026
Here is the playoffs schedule for IPL 2026:
Qualifier 1- 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.
Implications of the Schedule Announcement
The implications from the above announcement are that we will say goodbye to Bengaluru as it will not host any knockout game. It means RCB won’t get a chance to return to their home in Bengaluru this season if they make the playoffs. This is massive, and RCB fans might be disgruntled by this development (*12 points in 9 matches & at 2nd position in points table). The team needs to focus on the job at hand in the field rather than off it. So, no advantage or privilege of being the defending champions anymore.
PBKS will be happy with the schedule. They are currently leading the IPL and with matches in the North in Dharamsala and then New Chandigarh, meaning last year’s runner-up will have an advantage of knowing the conditions and doing well in the playoffs. So, PBKS fans will be happy with the schedule.
The fans who will be happy and motivated at this stage are the Gujarat Titans fans (*12 points in 10 matches & at 5th position). GT have been consistent in the IPL, and with the final set to be in Ahmedabad, GT will be up for it to make it to the summit clash, as it will be in front of their home crowd. For the other teams, it is neutral as to whether they make the playoffs or not is more important than the venues for the playoffs. But RCB may feel a little hard done by looking at the current situation.
Let’s see how things unfold as the IPL 2026 has reached its exciting business stage of the tournament. All matches from now on are crucial and game-defining as well. Every 2 points matter no matter what. No team will give an inch at this stage. The games will be exciting, and that will be a prelude to the playoff stage. Many teams are comfortably placed, while some are playing catch-up to the league leader. The table is tighter than we think.
Once the playoffs start, everyone will be glued to the action and see which teams go through and who misses out.
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