Dharamsala set for historic first IPL playoff as RCB face Gujarat Titans
Shashi Bhushan Purohit
Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), May 26, 2026: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is set to create history on Tuesday evening as it hosts its first-ever Indian Premier League playoff match since becoming an IPL venue in 2010.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2026 at the scenic Dharamsala stadium nestled in the Dhauladhar hills.
The high-stakes clash, scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm, will decide the first finalist of the season, with the winning side earning direct entry into the title clash in Ahmedabad. The losing team will get another opportunity through Qualifier 2.
RCB finished at the top of the points table with 18 points, edging ahead on the basis of a superior net run rate, while Gujarat Titans also ended the league stage with 18 points after an impressive and balanced campaign.
So far, 17 IPL matches have been played in Dharamsala, but this will be the first playoff fixture at the venue, adding to the excitement among cricket fans.
RCB have enjoyed success at the venue, winning two out of their three matches here, including a 23-run victory over Punjab earlier this month. Gujarat Titans, however, will be playing their first-ever match in Dharamsala.
Authorities said stadium gates would open at 4:30 pm, with strict security arrangements in place for the high-voltage encounter. More than 700 police and Home Guard personnel have been deployed, while drones will monitor crowd movement inside and outside the stadium.
Officials also said only e-tickets would be accepted for entry, and spectators would undergo strict security checks before entering the 22,000-capacity venue.