The IPL 2026 playoffs will occur across three venues: Mullanpur, Dharamsala, and Ahmedabad. The final, originally set for Bengaluru, has now been relocated to Ahmedabad due to local association requirements that exceeded the BCCI’s guidelines.
Qualifier 1 is scheduled for May 26 at HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. Following this, the Eliminator will take place on May 27 at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Qualifier 2 is set for May 29 at the same venue.
On May 31, the final will unfold at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, marking its fourth hosting of the IPL finale in five years. This shift highlights Ahmedabad’s growing prominence in hosting significant cricket events.
The BCCI commented on the change, stating, “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.” This decision underscores logistical challenges faced by cricket authorities.
Furthermore, the BCCI noted that special operational considerations necessitated conducting playoffs across multiple venues this season. Observers expect this adjustment may influence team strategies as they navigate different playing conditions.
