“Owing to certain operational and logistical considerations, the IPL 2026 Playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season as a special case,” said an IPL statement.“Bengaluru was originally designated to host the Final. However, owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols, the venue has been shifted and reassigned,” it continued.It is understood that the ongoing administrative mess regarding the tickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India to shift the title clash back to the venue that hosted the 2025 edition’s final. Even last year, the IPL final was moved from Kolkata’s Eden Gardens to Ahmedabad due to weather forecast and 2026’s title clash is going to be the fourth at that venue in last five years. Chennai hosted the final between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.The IPL is now entering the business end with as many as seven teams in contention for a playoffs berth. Punjab Kings, last year’s runners-up, are top of the table with 13 points from nine matches and are followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.As many as four teams are tied at 12 points each and the coming week could give a better picture of who is more likely to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.

IPL 2026 PLAYOFFS

May 26: Qualifier 1 at HPCA Stadium, DharamshalaMay 27: Eliminator at New International Cricket Stadium, New ChandigarhMay 29: Qualifier 2 at New International Cricket Stadium, New ChandigarhMay 31: Final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad