The IPL 2026 playoffs are set to unfold across three venues: Mullanpur, Dharamsala, and Ahmedabad. The final, originally scheduled for Bengaluru, has been moved due to local association requirements that exceeded the BCCI’s guidelines.
On May 26, Qualifier 1 will kick off at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The Eliminator follows on May 27 at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Then, Qualifier 2 is slated for May 29 at the same venue.
“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,” a BCCI spokesperson explained.
The final match will take place on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This marks the fourth time in five years that Ahmedabad has hosted the IPL finale, solidifying its status as a key destination for cricket fans.
The decision to shift venues comes after careful consideration of operational and logistical factors. “The playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season due to special operational and logistical considerations,” BCCI added.
Fans of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings will be closely watching how their teams navigate through these playoffs. With a total of 70 league matches leading up to this point, excitement is building as teams vie for a spot in the final showdown.
As preparations ramp up for the playoffs, stakeholders are keenly aware of what’s at stake. The implications of this venue change could impact team strategies and fan attendance alike.
