Mumbai: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to reveal the locations for the IPL 2026 playoff matches within the next few days. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said discussions are still underway regarding the most suitable grounds for the postseason games and the championship match, after he announced the teams for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup at the BCCI headquarters in the city on Saturday.
Key takeaways
- BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the venues for the IPL 2026 playoffs and final will be confirmed in a couple of days.
- He did not confirm whether Mullanpur and Bengaluru—linked to last season’s finalists and champions—will actually host the playoff fixtures.
- Mullanpur previously hosted Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, while Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium staged Qualifier 2 and the final last year.
- The BCCI has not announced the dates for the IPL 2026 playoffs, but it has already set the final for May 31.
Decision on playoffs venues still pending
Speaking to reporters at BCCI HQ, Saikia explained that the board is evaluating the “appropriate venue” for both the playoff matches and the final. He indicated that the final call will come after an additional window of time, stating that it would take “another two days” to reach a decision.
When asked about whether the shortlisted venues—Mullanpur and Bengaluru—would host the playoff ties, Saikia chose not to provide clarity. The question is tied to last year’s storyline, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings finished as finalists and champions respectively. Saikia replied that people could “keep guessing” but that he would not provide an answer yet, reiterating that the BCCI will take a decision in two days’ time.
Why Mullanpur and Bengaluru are in the spotlight
In the most recent IPL season, Mullanpur was the venue for Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator. Meanwhile, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad—commonly associated with hosting the final in recent conventions, with Eden Gardens in Kolkata expected to stage the championship—hosted Qualifier 2 and the final instead.
That last-season schedule was altered, with the final being moved out of the usual order due to disruption caused by the Indo-Pak war. As a result, the championship match did not follow the standard timeline and arrangements.
IPL 2026 playoffs dates awaited
At this stage, the BCCI has not released the full schedule for the IPL 2026 playoffs. The only confirmed date shared by the board so far is that the final will be played on May 31.
