IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule Announced as RCB, GT, SRH and RR Prepare for Knockout Stage
- RCB will face GT in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala on May 26
- SRH and RR are set to meet in the Eliminator at Mullanpur on May 27
- Ahmedabad will host the IPL 2026 final after venue shift from Bengaluru
- Mullanpur will stage both the Eliminator and Qualifier 2
- The IPL 2026 final will take place on May 31 at Narendra Modi Stadium
The IPL 2026 playoff stage is officially set following the completion of the league matches, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals advancing into the knockout rounds.
RCB finished at the top of the points table and will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, while Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals will compete in the Eliminator. The playoff phase will be played across Dharamsala, Mullanpur and Ahmedabad.
Notably, Bengaluru was originally expected to host the IPL 2026 final. However, the title clash was later shifted to Ahmedabad due to local administrative requirements.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
| Match | Teams | Venue | Date | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | RCB vs GT | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala | May 26, Tuesday | 7:30 PM |
| Eliminator | SRH vs RR | New International Stadium, Mullanpur | May 27, Wednesday | 7:30 PM |
| Qualifier 2 | Loser Q1 vs Winner Eliminator | New International Stadium, Mullanpur | May 29, Friday | 7:30 PM |
| Final | Winner Q1 vs Winner Q2 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | May 31, Sunday | 7:30 PM |
Dharamsala to Host Crucial Qualifier 1
The opening playoff fixture between RCB and GT will take place at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, one of the highest-altitude venues in Indian cricket. The ground is traditionally known for pace-friendly conditions and assistance for fast bowlers under lights.
With a direct place in the final at stake, the conditions could play a major role in determining the first finalist of IPL 2026.
Mullanpur Receives Two Knockout Matches
The New International Stadium in Mullanpur, officially known as the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, will host both the Eliminator and Qualifier 2.
The venue has emerged as one of the newest additions to the IPL circuit and will now stage two of the most pressure-filled matches of the tournament.
The Eliminator between SRH and RR will function as a direct knockout fixture, while Qualifier 2 will decide the second finalist.
Ahmedabad to Host IPL 2026 Final
The IPL 2026 final will now be held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad after the venue was shifted from Bengaluru. The stadium, regarded as the largest cricket venue in the world, has regularly hosted major ICC and IPL matches in recent years.
This will mark the fourth time in five seasons that Ahmedabad hosts the IPL final.
Why Qualifier 1 Holds Major Advantage
The playoff format gives a significant strategic advantage to the top-two teams. The winner of Qualifier 1 advances directly to the IPL final, while the losing side receives another opportunity through Qualifier 2.
In contrast, the Eliminator between SRH and RR is a straight knockout contest where the losing team will be immediately eliminated from the tournament.
Historically, teams winning Qualifier 1 have often carried momentum and tactical advantage into the final, making the RCB vs GT clash one of the most important matches of the season.