The race for the IPL 2026 trophy has reached its final and most exciting stage, with four teams battling for the title in the playoffs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals secured the top four spots this season and are now competing for a place in the grand finale.
The playoff stage began with Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala on May 26, where table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced second-placed Gujarat Titans. RCB delivered a dominant performance and defeated GT by 92 runs, becoming the first team to qualify for the IPL 2026 final. Despite the heavy defeat, Gujarat Titans are still alive in the competition and will get another chance to reach the summit clash.
The action now moves to Mullanpur on May 27 for the Eliminator between third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad and fourth-placed Rajasthan Royals. The match is a virtual knockout, with the losing team getting eliminated from the tournament, while the winner advances further in the playoffs.
Qualifier 2 will take place on May 29 in Mullanpur. Gujarat Titans, who lost Qualifier 1, will face the winner of the Eliminator. The victorious side from this contest will claim the second spot in the IPL 2026 final.
The much-awaited final is scheduled for May 31 in Ahmedabad, where the two finalists will compete for the IPL 2026 crown.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings continue to hold the record for the best playoff success in the IPL history. The five-time champions have won 17 of their 26 playoff matches, maintaining a success rate of 65.39 percent. Mumbai Indians follow closely with 14 wins from 22 playoff appearances and on the third place, it is KKR with 10 wins out of 15 matches. However, in a surprising turn, none of these three teams could manage to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs this season.
Which team according to you will win the IPL 2026? Let us know your pick.
