IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule Announced, Ahmedabad to Host IPL 2026 Final on May 31; Bengaluru Misses Out

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the schedule for the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Playoffs, confirming that Ahmedabad will host the grand final on May 31.

The announcement marks the final phase of the tournament after 70 league-stage matches filled with high-intensity contests and standout performances. With the playoff race now set, the focus shifts to the venues and key knockout clashes that will decide this year's champion.

The venue shift also comes amid a controversy in Bengaluru over the allocation of complimentary IPL tickets to elected representatives. The issue gained attention after several MLAs demanded a quota of free passes, with the Karnataka government later confirming that each legislator would be given a limited number of tickets. The move triggered criticism around VIP culture and fairness in ticket distribution, with some leaders even refusing the passes. While the BCCI has officially cited "local requirements" beyond its guidelines for shifting the final out of Bengaluru, sources indicate that such demands and related coordination issues added to the complications around hosting the marquee match.

Ahmedabad to host IPL 2026 final

The summit clash will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world's largest cricket stadium. The venue will host the final on May 31, bringing the tournament to a close.

Bengaluru was initially expected to host the final. However, the BCCI said the venue was shifted due to certain requirements from local authorities that were beyond its established guidelines and protocols.

Playoffs to be held across three venues

This season's playoffs will be played across three different venues due to operational and logistical considerations, making it a special case.

The opening playoff match, Qualifier 1, will be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 26. This match will feature the top two teams in the standings, with the winner securing a direct place in the final.

The action will then shift to the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. The venue will host the Eliminator on May 27 between the third and fourth-placed teams.

It will also host Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will face the winner of the Eliminator to decide the second finalist.

Full IPL 2026 Playoffs schedule

* Qualifier 1 - May 26 - Dharamshala
* Eliminator - May 27 - New Chandigarh
* Qualifier 2 - May 29 - New Chandigarh
* Final - May 31 - Ahmedabad

The BCCI said the multi-venue format for the playoffs has been adopted this season as a one-time arrangement due to logistical factors.

With the venues and schedule now confirmed, teams will look to finish strong in the league stage and secure a place in the playoffs as the race for the IPL 2026 title enters its final stretch.