The play-off stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has now been formally confirmed following the conclusion of the group phase. The final qualification spot was secured by Rajasthan Royals after their victory over Mumbai Indians, completing the line-up for the final four. Earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, and Sunrisers Hyderabad had already booked their places in the play-offs.
Each team in the group stage played a total of 14 matches. The league standings concluded with Royal Challengers Bengaluru finishing top of the table on 18 points. Gujarat Titans also ended on 18 points but were placed second due to a lower net run rate. Sunrisers Hyderabad likewise finished on 18 points and occupied third position for the same reason. Rajasthan Royals completed the top four with 16 points.
The play-off structure follows the established IPL format, consisting of Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. This system provides a double chance for the top two teams to reach the final, while the third and fourth-placed teams must progress through additional knockout matches.
Play-off fixtures and structure
| Stage | Match Type | Teams | Date | Venue | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifier 1 | First Qualifier | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans | 26 May | Dharamsala | Winner advances directly to Final; loser moves to Qualifier 2 |
| Eliminator | Knockout | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals | 27 May | Mullanpur | Loser eliminated; winner advances to Qualifier 2 |
| Qualifier 2 | Second Qualifier | Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator | 29 May | Mullanpur | Winner advances to Final |
| Final | Championship Match | Winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 | 31 May | Narendra Modi Stadium, Gujarat | Title decider |
In Qualifier 1, the top two teams from the league stage—Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans—will face each other on 26 May in Dharamsala. The winner of this match will secure direct entry into the final. The losing side will receive a second opportunity to reach the final by competing in Qualifier 2.
The Eliminator will be contested between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on 27 May in Mullanpur. This is a single-elimination fixture, meaning the losing team will be immediately knocked out of the competition, while the winning team progresses to Qualifier 2.
Qualifier 2, scheduled for 29 May in Mullanpur, will feature the loser of Qualifier 1 against the winner of the Eliminator. The victor of this match will claim the second and final place in the tournament final.
The IPL final is scheduled for 31 May at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat, where the winners of Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 2 will compete for the championship title. This marks the conclusion of the play-off stage and the 2025 season’s decisive match in the competition’s established format.