IPL 2026 Playoff Schedule Announced, Final in Ahmedabad

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule and venues for the playoff stage of the Indian Premier League 2026, confirming that the tournament will conclude with the final in Ahmedabad.

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The board noted that, due to specific operational and logistical considerations, this year’s playoffs will be conducted across three different venues as a “special case.”

Dharamshala to Host Qualifier 1

IPL 2026 Playoff Schedule Confirmed; Ahmedabad to Host Final

Qualifier 1 is scheduled for May 26 at the HPCA Stadium Dharamshala. This match will feature the top two teams from the league stage, with the winner advancing directly to the final.

New Chandigarh to Host Eliminator and Qualifier 2

The action will then move to the New International Cricket Stadium New Chandigarh, which will host two crucial fixtures.

The Eliminator on May 27 will see the third- and fourth-placed teams face off, with the loser exiting the tournament.
Qualifier 2, scheduled for May 29, will feature the loser of Qualifier 1 against the winner of the Eliminator, with a place in the final at stake.

These venues are closely associated with Punjab Kings, last season’s runners-up.

Ahmedabad to Stage Grand Finale

The tournament will culminate on May 31 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad.

This will mark the fourth time in the last five seasons that the IPL final is hosted at this venue, underlining its importance in marquee events. Although finals are typically held at the home ground of the defending champions (Royal Challengers Bengaluru in this case), the BCCI clarified that certain constraints prevented that arrangement this year.