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Ahmedabad to Host IPL 2026 Final on May 31; BCCI Unveils Playoff Schedule

The BCCI announced the IPL 2026 playoffs schedule, with the final set for May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Qualifier 1 will be played on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, featuring the top two teams. The Eliminator and Qualifier 2 will be held on May 27 and May 29 at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. The final was shifted from Bengaluru due to requirements from local authorities that fell beyond BCCI's established guidelines.

Key Points: IPL 2026 Final in Ahmedabad on May 31: Full Playoffs Schedule

  • Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium to host IPL 2026 final on May 31
  • Qualifier 1 on May 26 at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
  • Eliminator & Qualifier 2 in New Chandigarh on May 27 & 29
  • Final shifted from Bengaluru due to local authority requirements
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Ahmedabad to host IPL 2026 finale on May 31 as BCCI unveils playoffs schedule

BCCI announces IPL 2026 playoffs schedule: Qualifier 1 in Dharamshala, Eliminator & Qualifier 2 in Chandigarh, final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31.

"The season will conclude with the grand final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad - the world's largest cricket stadium - BCCI"

Mumbai, May 6

Ahmedabad will host the IPL 2026 final, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Wednesday announced the schedule for playoffs, marking the culmination of another exhilarating season.

After 70 league-stage matches, the playoffs begin with Qualifier 1, featuring the top two teams in the standings, on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, with a direct berth in the final at stake.

The action will then move to the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will host the Eliminator on May 27 between the third and fourth-placed teams. The same venue will also stage Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will face the winner of the Eliminator to determine the second finalist.

"The season will conclude with the grand final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad - the world's largest cricket stadium - setting the stage for a spectacular finale. Owing to certain operational and logistical considerations, the TATA IPL 2026 Playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season as a special case," the BCCI said in a release.

The IPL final usually takes places at the home ground of the reigning champion, and in this case, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning the previous edition, M Chinnaswamy would've hosted the summit clash. However, the BCCI stated that due to requirements from local authorities that fell 'beyond the scope of BCCI's established guidelines and protocols,' it would not be possible to hold the final in Bengaluru."

"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," the BCCI said.

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

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Ravi K
Dharamshala for Qualifier 1 is a great choice - the scenic backdrop of the Himalayas will be breathtaking for the top two teams. But honestly, why is New Chandigarh getting two matches? So many other cities with better infrastructure could have hosted. Politics as usual, I suppose.
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Michael C
As someone who follows IPL from the US, the schedule makes sense. Three venues for playoffs is practical considering the tournament's scale. But shifting the final from Bengaluru due to 'local requirements' sounds like a classic corporate excuse 🧐
K
Karan T
RCB won last year and now their home ground loses the final? Talk about bad luck! But honestly, Bengaluru traffic is so bad even the BCCI gave up 😂 Joking aside, Ahmedabad deserves it - they've hosted big matches well. Just hope the weather holds up on May 31st.
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Laura Z
Strange decision to take the final away from the defending champion's home ground. For a tournament that prides itself on consistency, this seems arbitrary. That said, New Chandigarh getting playoff matches is exciting for the region - hope the stadium's pitch holds up.
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Rohit L
BCCI's 'special case' wording is interesting - they're basically admitting the Bengaluru authorities made unreasonable demands. Cricket fans in Karnataka must be gutted. On the bright side, Ahmedabad's stadium with its LED lights and huge capacity will make for a spectacular finale 🌟

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