IPL 2026 Playoffs: New Chandigarh to Host Eliminator, Final in Ahmedabad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially locked in the venues for the IPL 2026 playoffs, handing a massive vote of confidence to Punjab’s cricket infrastructure. The twist? New Chandigarh will host two high-stakes knockout matches, while the final moves to Gujarat.

Announced by Devajit Saikia, Secretary of the BCCI, the schedule sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the tournament later this year. Here’s the breakdown of where and when the action happens.

The Playoff Schedule Breakdown

The playoff saga begins on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Qualifier 1 takes place at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. This is where the top two teams from the league table clash. The winner marches straight to the final; the loser gets a second chance in Qualifier 2.

But the real headline is what happens next. Both the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 are scheduled for PCA Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh (also known as Mullanpur). The Eliminator kicks off on May 27, featuring the third and fourth-placed teams in a do-or-die encounter. Two days later, on May 29, Qualifier 2 pits the loser of Qualifier 1 against the winner of the Eliminator.

The curtain falls on May 31, 2026, with the Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It’s the world’s largest cricket stadium, fittingly chosen to crown the champion.

Why New Chandigarh Matters

This isn’t just another venue change. For Punjab, this is a big deal. Gurmeet Singh Mehar, Secretary of the Punjab Cricket Association, confirmed the news via an official press statement. He called it a matter of pride for the state.

Hosting two crucial knockout games signals that the BCCI trusts the PCA’s new facility in Mullanpur. It’s a shift from previous years where venues like Mumbai or Kolkata often dominated the playoff slots. New Chandigarh is a planned urban area in Punjab, and putting it on the map for such high-pressure matches suggests the infrastructure is finally ready for prime time.

The Bengaluru Snub

Here’s the thing: the final was originally supposed to be in Bengaluru. But logistics got in the way. Reports indicate that local association requirements didn’t align with BCCI protocols. So, they pulled the plug and moved it to Ahmedabad.

It’s not the first time venue shuffles have happened due to administrative hiccups. But moving the final from India’s tech capital to the cricketing heartland of Gujarat sends a clear message about operational efficiency. The Narendra Modi Stadium can hold over 130,000 fans, ensuring a packed house for the trophy presentation.

What This Means for Fans

If you’re planning to attend, mark your calendars. The window is tight—just six days from the first playoff match to the final. Travel between Dharamshala, New Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad will require quick planning. Tickets for the New Chandigarh matches are likely to sell out fast given the novelty of hosting back-to-back knockouts.

For broadcasters, this schedule offers a compelling narrative arc. From the hill stations of Himachal to the modern facilities of Punjab, ending in the grandeur of Gujarat. It’s a geographic tour of Indian cricket’s evolution.

Background: The Evolution of IPL Venues

IPL venues have always been strategic. Early years saw matches concentrated in Mumbai and Chennai. Over time, the league expanded to include cities like Lucknow, Guwahati, and now New Chandigarh. This expansion reflects the game’s growing popularity across diverse regions.

Punjab has long been a cricketing powerhouse, producing legends like Harbhajan Singh and Virat Kohli. Yet, its home ground in Mohali hasn’t always hosted playoffs. Giving New Chandigarh this role is a nod to the state’s rich cricketing heritage and its future potential.