 2026 playoffs is complete.){kind=link}
Following a thrilling conclusion to the league stage on May 24, the puzzle for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoffs is complete.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinches the top spot in the standings with 18 points and a superior Net Run Rate of +0.783. They are joined in the upper echelons by Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), both also finishing at 18 points, while Rajasthan Royals (RR) sealed the final qualification spot by defeating Mumbai Indians in their last league game.
At the other end of the spectrum, it was a season to forget for several heavyweights. Punjab Kings (PBKS) narrowly missed out on the fifth spot with 15 points. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finished a disappointing eighth with 12 points, whereas five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) languished at the absolute bottom of the table with just 8 points each from their 14 outings.
IPL 2026 Final Points Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | L | NRR | Pts | Status |
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru 🔴 | 14 | 9 | 5 | +0.783 | 18 | Qualified (Q1) |
| 2 | Gujarat Titans ⚡ | 14 | 9 | 5 | +0.695 | 18 | Qualified (Q1) |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad 🧡 | 14 | 9 | 5 | +0.524 | 18 | Qualified (Eliminator) |
| 4 | Rajasthan Royals 💗 | 14 | 8 | 6 | +0.189 | 16 | Qualified (Eliminator) |
| 5 | Punjab Kings 👑 | 14 | 7 | 6 | – | 15 | Eliminated |
| 6 | Delhi Capitals 💙 | 14 | 7 | 7 | – | 14 | Eliminated |
| 7 | Kolkata Knight Riders 💜 | 14 | 6 | 8 | – | 13 | Eliminated |
| 8 | Chennai Super Kings 💛 | 14 | 6 | 8 | – | 12 | Eliminated |
| 9 | Mumbai Indians 💙 | 14 | 4 | 10 | – | 8 | Eliminated |
| 10 | Lucknow Super Giants 💚 | 14 | 4 | 10 | – | 8 | Eliminated |
Playoff Advantages & Roadmap
Finishing in the top two provides RCB and GT with a crucial safety net. They will face off in Qualifier 1 on May 26 at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, where the winner punches a direct ticket to the grand finale. The losing squad receives a second lifeline, moving to Qualifier 2.
Conversely, the road is far steeper for SRH and RR. They collide in a do-or-die Eliminator on May 27 in New Chandigarh. The loser goes home immediately, while the victor must win another high-stakes game against the loser of Qualifier 1 to earn a place in the championship final.
Upcoming Playoff Fixtures Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| May 26 (Tuesday) | Qualifier 1: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans | HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala | 7:30 PM |
| May 27 (Wednesday) | Eliminator: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals | New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| May 29 (Friday) | Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator | New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh | 7:30 PM |
| May 31 (Sunday) | The Grand Final: Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2 | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | 7:30 PM |