The 19th season of Indian Premier League 2026 has now entered its decisive phase, with the playoff picture almost complete. Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have already booked their spots in the playoffs, while the race for the final berth remains alive between Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals.
Following SRH’s 55-run win over RCB on Friday, the teams set to clash in Qualifier 1 have officially been confirmed.
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As per the IPL playoff format, the top four teams from the league stage advance to the knockouts. The teams finishing first and second face each other in Qualifier 1, while the third and fourth-placed sides compete in the Eliminator. The loser of Qualifier 1 gets another opportunity to reach the final through Qualifier 2, where they take on the winner of the Eliminator.
Which teams will play Qualifier 1?
RCB, GT, and SRH all finished with 18 points each, but Net Run Rate determined the final standings. Royal Challengers Bangalore secured the top spot with an NRR of +0.783, while Gujarat Titans finished second with +0.695. Sunrisers Hyderabad ended in third place with an NRR of +0.524.
As a result, Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 will be played between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans.
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Date and timing of Qualifier 1
The RCB vs GT Qualifier 1 clash will take place on Tuesday, May 26. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST, while the toss will be held at 7:00 PM.
Venue for Qualifier 1
The blockbuster playoff encounter between RCB and GT will be played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
The winner of Qualifier 1 will become the first team to secure a place in the IPL 2026 final. The losing side will still remain in contention and will get another chance to qualify through Qualifier 2.
