Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium will stage the IPL final for the second year in a row. The BCCI has released the schedule for the IPL 2026 playoffs, and this knockout phase will travel to three host cities rather than two, with the title match pencilled in at the world’s biggest cricket venue.
It will mark the fourth time Ahmedabad has hosted an IPL final, following editions in 2022, 2023 and 2025. After a league campaign packed with high-pressure performances, the tournament now moves into its decisive stage with a clear pathway to the summit clash.
Quick facts
- Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to host the IPL 2026 final for the second consecutive year
- Playoffs in IPL 2026 will be held across three cities (special case)
- Qualifier 1: May 26 at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala
- Eliminator: May 27 at New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh
- Qualifier 2: May 29 at New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh
- Final: May 31 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru’s planned final venue shifted away from Chinnaswamy Stadium due to logistical issues
Qualifier 1 will feature the two highest-ranked teams from the league standings. Scheduled for May 26, it will be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, with the winner going straight through to the final.
The next match will shift to New Chandigarh. The Eliminator is set for May 27 at the New International Cricket Stadium, with the teams placed third and fourth in the league meeting to decide who earns a route back to the title match.
Qualifier 2 will also take place in New Chandigarh on May 29. That game will determine the second finalist, with the loser of the Eliminator facing the winner of Qualifier 1.
While Bengaluru was expected to host the final after Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted the title last year, the venue was moved away from the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The decision was linked to logistical problems that were described as beyond anyone’s control.
The release also noted that the Chinnaswamy Stadium had faced intense scrutiny after the tragic deaths of 11 people during the RCB victory parade last season. Although the venue was cleared to hold matches this year, Ahmedabad was ultimately chosen as the more suitable option for the final.
Why Ahmedabad is the finale host
The IPL season will culminate with the grand final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, described as the world’s largest cricket stadium. The BCCI added that, due to operational and logistical factors, the IPL 2026 playoffs will be spread across three venues as a special case.
Why Bengaluru lost out
Bengaluru was originally set to stage the final. However, the schedule change followed requests from the local association and authorities that the BCCI said fell outside its established guidelines and protocols.
With a seating capacity of over 100,000, the Narendra Modi Stadium opened in 2021 and has quickly become a regular choice for major cricket events. Along with hosting four IPL finals, it has also been selected for big international showpieces, including the 2023 ODI World Cup final and the 2026 T20 World Cup final—results that have delivered contrasting moments for the Indian team.
That track record has also sparked disappointment among sections of fans. Many feel that cricket-crazy cities with deep historical roots in the sport, including Kolkata and Mumbai, should be given more opportunities to host marquee matches like the IPL final.
