IPL 2026 is now in its final stage. The league stage matches of the 19th season have ended. After 70 matches, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals have qualified for the playoffs. Now ‘Qualifier-1’ will be played on 26th May, after which ‘Eliminator’ match will be held on 27th May. Then ‘Qualifier-2’ will be played on 29th May and ‘Final’ match will be played on 31st May. Before this, let us tell you what is the difference between Qualifier-1, Qualifier-2 and Eliminator matches.

Qualifier-1

Qualifier-1 is played between the teams finishing in top-2 in the league stage. In IPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bangalore topped with 18 points, while Gujarat Titans also scored 18 points, but due to a slight difference in net run rate, this team remained in second place. Qualifier-1 will be played on 26th May at HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, the winning team will directly reach the finals. The losing team will get one more chance.

eliminator

The eliminator match will be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on May 27 at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. The team that wins the Eliminator will enter Qualifier-2. The team that wins the Eliminator match will face the team that loses Qualifier-1 in Qualifier-2.

Qualifier-2

This match will also be played at Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. In this match, the losing team of Qualifier-1 will face the winning team of Eliminator. The team that wins Qualifier-2 will be able to get the last ticket for the final. Where she will face the winner of Qualifier-1 in the title match.

In IPL, Qualifier-1, Eliminator, Qualifier-2 and the final are called playoffs. This season, reserve day has been kept only in the final match of the playoffs. In the remaining matches, if the match is canceled due to rain, the team finishing on top in the points table will advance. The title match will be played on May 31 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

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