Dharamshala (Arvind Sharma) |
In a first for the region, the HPCA Stadium Dharamshala has been awarded a playoff match of the Indian Premier League (IPL), marking a significant milestone in the venue’s history.
According to an official release by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA), the stadium will host Qualifier 1 of the TATA IPL 2026 on May 26. The match, featuring the top two teams in the league standings, will determine the first finalist, with the winner securing a direct entry into the title clash.
HPCA officials described the development as a major achievement, noting that Dharamshala has steadily emerged as an important venue for IPL matches. The stadium is already scheduled to host three league matches involving Punjab on May 11, 14, and 17.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India also released the complete playoff schedule:
Qualifier 1 – May 26 – Dharamshala
Eliminator – May 27 – New PCA Stadium
Qualifier 2 – May 29 – New Chandigarh
Final – May 31 – Narendra Modi Stadium
As per the BCCI, the playoffs will be held across three venues this season due to operational and logistical considerations. The Eliminator will be played between the third and fourth-placed teams, while Qualifier 2 will see the loser of Qualifier 1 face the winner of the Eliminator to decide the second finalist.
The IPL 2026 final will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, concluding the tournament after 70 league-stage matches.
Originally, Bengaluru had been designated to host the final. However, the BCCI stated that the venue was shifted due to certain requirements from local authorities that were beyond its established guidelines and protocols.
The allocation of a playoff match to Dharamshala is expected to boost the region’s profile as a premier cricket destination and draw significant attention from fans and stakeholders alike.
