The IPL 2026 league stage is officially over, and the playoff race has now reached its final phase. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals have secured the four knockout spots after a dramatic finish to the league season.
Fans now have complete clarity on the fixtures, venues, timings, playoff format, and the route to the IPL 2026 Final in Ahmedabad.
Let us have a look at the full IPL 2026 playoffs schedule along with venue details, pitch conditions, and more important details.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Full Schedule
Here is the complete schedule of IPL 2026 Playoffs:
| Match | Fixture | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | RCB vs GT | May 26, 2026 | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala | 7:30 PM |
| Eliminator | SRH vs RR | May 27, 2026 | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| Qualifier 2 | Loser of Q1 vs Winner of Eliminator | May 29, 2026 | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| Final | Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2 | May 31, 2026 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |
IPL 2026 Playoffs: RCB vs GT in Qualifier 1 Details
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 on May 26 in Dharamshala. Since both teams finished inside the top two, the winner will directly enter the IPL 2026 Final, while the losing side will still get another opportunity in Qualifier 2.
As a result, Qualifier 1 remains a hugely important contest even without direct knockout pressure. At the same time, both RCB and Gujarat Titans have carried strong form into the playoffs and built momentum with powerful batting performances throughout IPL 2026.
IPL 2026 Playoffs: SRH vs RR Eliminator Match Details
Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals will meet in the Eliminator on May 27 in New Chandigarh. Unlike Qualifier 1, this match is a direct knockout game.
The winning team will move into Qualifier 2 and face the loser of RCB vs GT. The losing side’s IPL 2026 campaign will end immediately. Also, the Rajasthan Royals recently became the fourth team to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs.
Both teams struggled for consistency during different phases of the league stage. However, they built momentum with strong finishes toward the end of IPL 2026, which now makes the Eliminator one of the most unpredictable playoff matches.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Venues
Dharamshala, New Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad will host the IPL 2026 playoff matches.
Each stadium offers different pitch conditions, which could play a major role in deciding the road to the IPL final. Have a look at the venues of IPL 2026 Playoffs:
Dharamshala – HPCA Stadium
The HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala will host Qualifier 1 between RCB and Gujarat Titans. The venue usually helps fast bowlers early with bounce, seam movement, and cooler weather conditions.
However, batting becomes easier once players settle in. The quick outfield and true bounce allow stroke-makers to score freely, especially during evening games under lights. Chasing teams have also enjoyed a strong record here in recent IPL matches.
New Chandigarh – Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh will host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 matches. The surface here has generally looked balanced throughout IPL 2026, offering help to both batters and bowlers.
Fast bowlers usually get movement with the new ball, while batting becomes easier later in the innings. Dew has also played an important role during night matches, making chasing slightly more comfortable in several games this season.
Ahmedabad – Narendra Modi Stadium
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the IPL 2026 Final. The venue is also the largest cricket stadium in the world. The venue usually offers balanced conditions where both batting and bowling units remain involved throughout the match.
Batters often enjoy the powerplay because of the true bounce and shorter square boundaries, but the pitch can slow down later in the innings. Spinners and bowlers using cutters have also found success here during IPL 2026.
Gujarat Titans have already played several matches at this venue during the season because Ahmedabad is their home ground. Their familiarity with the conditions could become a major advantage if they qualify for the final.
Where To Watch the IPL 2026 Playoffs Live?
You can watch the IPL 2026 Playoffs live on the JioHotstar website and app through free digital streaming, while television viewers can follow every knockout match live on the Star Sports network channels.
Here are the complete IPL 2026 playoffs streaming and broadcast details for different regions worldwide.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Live Streaming and Broadcast Details
| Region | Streaming/Broadcast Platform |
|---|---|
| India | JioHotstar, Airtel Xstream Play, Star Sports Network |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports |
| USA & Canada | Willow TV |
| Australia | Kayo Sports |
| Africa | SuperSport |
| Global | YuppTV |
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Conclusion
The IPL 2026 playoffs now have all the ingredients for a dramatic finish — strong teams, pressure-heavy knockout games, and venues that could influence results through pitch behavior and match conditions.
With RCB, GT, SRH, and RR all entering the playoffs with different strengths and momentum, fans can expect an intense battle over the next few days before the new IPL champion is crowned in Ahmedabad.
