The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the IPL 2026 playoffs schedule on Wednesday, with the final now set to be played on 31st May at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was supposed to host the final with RCB being the defending champions. But due to 'certain requirements from the local association and authorities,' the match moved to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
"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 statement from BCCI read.
Not only that, but also because of some 'operational and logistical considerations,' the Playoffs this season will be played across three stadiums. Alongside Ahmdedbad, the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh and the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala are the other grounds which will host the playoffs.
The Qualifier 1 will be played on HPCA Stadium, while the Eliminator 1 and Qualifier 2 will be hosted by the New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh.
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IPL 2026 Playoffs Schedule
- Qualifier 1 – May 26 – HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
- Eliminator – May 27 – New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh
- Qualifier 2 – May 29 – New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh
- Final – May 31 – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad