IPL 2026 playoffs: Teams qualified, format, fixtures, venue and one factor that unites all four teams - all you need to know

Indian Premier League 2026 has entered its final phase, with all 10 teams done with their 14 matches. We have the four top teams in the table who will be up against each other, trying to win the biggest cricket league in the world. The race to the playoffs once again stretched to the final day of the league phase and Rajasthan Royals became the fourth side to join the top three into the next round. Punjab Kings, who became the first team to start an IPL season with seven unbeaten games, fell short by a point after losing six straight matches in the second half.

Kolkata Knight Riders' strong fightback also ended with disappointment as they failed to win their final game. Below, we look at all the important details for the IPL 2026 playoffs. IPL Playoffs teams qualified Royal Challengers Bengaluru (18 points) Gujarat Titans (18) SunRisers Hyderabad (18) Rajasthan Royals (16) IPL Playoffs format Unlike the semifinal format used in international cricket tournaments, IPL uses a different format for its knockout rounds. The top two teams face each other in the first qualifier, the winner of which goes directly to the final.

The loser of that match faces the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2. The winner of Qualifier 2 then faces the winner of Qualifier 1 in the final. The format ensures that the top two teams get rewarded for their consistency in the league phase. IPL Playoffs fixtures Qualifier 1: RCB vs GT, Dharamsala on May 26 Eliminator: SRH vs RR, New Chandigarh on May 27 Qualifier 2: SRH/RR vs RCB/GT, New Chandigarh on May 29 Final: RCB/GT vs TBD, Ahmedabad on May 31 All matches start at 7:30 PM IST Second trophy loading Interestingly, all four teams in the playoffs have one trophy each.

So, all four teams will be fighting to lay their hands on an IPL title for only the second time. RCB are the defending champions, while GT won the tournament in their first appearance in 2022. SRH won the title back in 2016, and RR were the inaugural champions of the league in 2008. SRH remain the only side to have won the title from Eliminator and would be hoping to emulate their 2016 success once again.

On the other hand, RCB will try to become the first team since Mumbai Indians in 2019 and 2020, to repeat as IPL champions.