BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said the venues for the IPL 2026 playoffs will be locked down within “a day or two”, though he refused to confirm whether Bengaluru and New Chandigarh will host the knockout stage. Speaking to reporters outside the BCCI headquarters on Saturday, Saikia acknowledged that the board is still working through the “appropriate venue” for the playoffs and the final, adding that the final call will come next week.
Saikia hints at timing but stays guarded on host cities
When asked directly if the playoff matches would be staged in Bengaluru and New Chandigarh, Saikia did not provide a clear answer and indicated that reporters would not be able to extract one from him. He said the board was still evaluating options and would need additional time to decide.
- Devajit Saikia said the IPL 2026 playoff and final venue decision will take “another two days’ time”.
- He maintained that the outcome on Bengaluru and New Chandigarh would be clarified only after the board takes a call in two days.
- Saikia also indicated that the decision will be made next week when pressed further on the locations.
What the hosting norm suggests for Bengaluru and New Chandigarh
Under the established norm for IPL playoff hosting, the finalists of the previous season are typically granted the right to host the marquee knockout matches. Based on that framework, Bengaluru and New Chandigarh would be expected to receive the hosting duties for the late-May matches in the 2026 playoff calendar.
However, Saikia kept the suspense intact when asked about the specific contenders, including Mullanpur and Bengaluru, and whether they were leading candidates. He responded by telling reporters to keep guessing rather than offering confirmation.
IPL 2026 playoffs schedule window and last season’s venue switches
The BCCI has not released the full schedule for the IPL 2026 playoffs yet, but it has confirmed that the final will be played on May 31. The group stage is set to conclude on May 24, after which the final four matches—Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the summit clash—will be completed between May 24 and May 31.
- The final is confirmed for May 31.
- The group stage ends on May 24.
- The playoff matches (Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the final) will be held between May 24 and May 31.
- Qualifier 1 is likely scheduled for May 26.
- The Eliminator is expected on May 27.
- Qualifier 2 is expected on May 29.
- The final is set for May 31.
Where the IPL 2025 playoffs were played—and why venues changed
For the IPL 2025 playoffs, the knockout stage was initially planned to be hosted in Kolkata and Hyderabad. Those venues were altered at the last minute due to logistical constraints and weather-related concerns. Ultimately, Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator took place in Mullanpur, while Qualifier 2 and the final were staged at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Norms and the IPL 2024 finalists’ link to 2025 hosting
The IPL 2024 final featured Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Under the usual guidelines, those two cities would have been expected to host the final of the IPL 2025 edition—before the eventual changes due to the reasons cited for the late switch.
