The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to finalise the IPL 2026 playoffs schedule within the next two days, according to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia.
Saikia confirmed on Saturday that the schedule for the Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the IPL 2026 final will be announced shortly, though he declined to reveal which venues would host the knockout games.
“IPL playoffs schedule is coming in two days. The BCCI is seriously thinking about taking measures so that the IPL’s reputation is not damaged,” Saikia said.
A key question looming over the announcement is whether the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host the final. Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold the IPL 2025 title, and tradition dictates that the defending champions host the final — pointing toward Chinnaswamy as the natural venue.
However, the decision is far from straightforward. The BCCI is still dealing with the aftermath of the Bengaluru stampede that followed RCB’s IPL 2025 triumph, in which 11 people died and many others suffered injuries. Officials are said to be carefully weighing safety considerations before confirming any venue.
Should the BCCI decide to move the final away from Bengaluru, Mumbai or Ahmedabad are considered possible alternatives, though nothing has been confirmed.
The league stage of IPL 2026 is being played across 13 venues and runs until May 24, with the final still scheduled for May 31. Cricket fans across the country await the official announcement with anticipation as the tournament enters its crucial final stretch.
