The ultimate contenders for the prestigious Indian Premier League title battle it out during the IPL Playoffs in every season. The playoff format followed as of the 2025 season replaced the previous system of traditional semi-finals in 2011. After the end of the league stage, the teams finishing in the top four positions enter the conclusive stage of the tournament, the Playoffs.
The top two teams finishing at the helm of the points table enjoy the luxury of having two attempts to secure their place in the Final, via the Qualifier 1 and the Qualifier 2.
How the IPL Playoffs are played?
The IPL Playoffs consist of four matches. Qualifier 1 is played between the two teams that finish at the top of the table at the end of the league stage. The winner of Qualifier 1 advances to the IPL final. Qualifier 2 will provide the loser of Qualifier 1 with another chance to reach the final.
The Eliminator is played between the teams that finish third and fourth on the points table. The winner of the Eliminator plays against the loser of the first Qualifier in Qualifier 2, with a place in the final at stake.
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IPL 2025 Playoff schedule
The Qualifier 1 in the 2025 edition will take place on 20 May 2025 at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad. The Eliminator will be on 21 May in the same venue and the Qualifier 2 on 23 May 2025 at the Eden Gardens. Eden Gardens, Kolkata, where the 2013 and 2015 editions finals were played, will host the final of IPL 2025.
| Matches | Who vs Whom | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Qualifier 1 | 1st placed team vs 2nd placed team | 20 May 2025 | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| Eliminator | 3rd placed team vs 4th placed team | 21 May 2025 | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| Qualifier 2 | The loser of Qualifier 1 vs the winner of Eliminator | 23 May 2025 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| Final | Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2 | 25 May 2025 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
IPL 2025 teams and groups
The IPL 2025 has 10 teams, and they are divided into two groups, Group A and B.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai Indians |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Rajasthan Royals | Gujarat Titans |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals |
| Punjab Kings | Lucknow Super Giants |
FAQs
A. The top four teams on the points table qualify for the IPL playoffs.
A. As of the 2024 season, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have won the most IPL trophies (5).
A. Hardik Pandya will be the captain of MI in the 2025 IPL season.
A. The inaugural season of IPL was played in 2008.
![[Watch] Ruturaj Gaikwad gets massive reprieve as Darshan Nalkande dismisses him off a no-ball in Qualifier 1 between CSK and GT](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/05/abd56-16848560519731-1920.jpg?h=166)
