IPL 2026: Final Week Fixtures, Playoff Scenarios & Predictions as the Race Heats Up

IPL 2026 standings tighten as RCB chase top spot and the playoff battle goes down to the wire

With just seven league-stage matches remaining before the IPL 2026 playoffs, the tournament has reached its most dramatic week yet. Net run rate calculations are everywhere, playoff permutations are changing daily, and every fixture between now and Sunday 24 May carries enormous significance.

At the top, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are closing in on a historic first-place finish after finally breaking through for a maiden IPL title last season. Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad remain well positioned, but the fight for the remaining playoff places is absolute chaos. Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals are all still alive heading into the final stretch.

Here is the complete guide to this week’s IPL 2026 fixtures, updated standings, playoff implications and predictions.

IPL 2026 Points Table – Updated Standings (18 May 2026)

Rank                      Team                                                      Played  Won      Lost        Points   NRR

1              Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)          13           9              4              18           +1.065

2              Gujarat Titans (GT)                                           13           8              5              16           +0.400

3              Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)                          12           7              5              14           +0.331

4              Punjab Kings (PBKS)                                        13           6              6              13           +0.227

5              Chennai Super Kings (CSK)                          12           6              6              12           +0.027

6              Rajasthan Royals (RR)                                    12           6              6              12           +0.027

7              Delhi Capitals (DC)                                           13           6              7              12           −0.871

8              Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)                         12           5              6              11           −0.038

9              Mumbai Indians (MI)                                      12           4              8              8              −0.504

10           Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)                        12           4              8                              −0.701  

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are now firm favourites to finish top of the IPL 2026 standings after another dominant week. Gujarat Titans remain comfortably placed in second, while Sunrisers Hyderabad still have a game in hand that could prove decisive in the race for a top-two finish.

The real drama, though, sits in the middle of the table. Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders are all still mathematically alive heading into the final week. One defeat could end a season. One big win could completely change the playoff picture.

This Week’s IPL 2026 Fixtures & Predictions

Match 63 – Monday 18 May : CSK vs SRH

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai : 7:30 PM IST

Chennai Super Kings return to Chepauk knowing this is effectively a knockout match. CSK sit fifth with 12 points from 12 matches and cannot afford another slip-up if they want to stay in the IPL 2026 playoff race.

Sunrisers Hyderabad arrive in far better shape. Pat Cummins’ side have looked balanced throughout the season and another victory would move them dangerously close to sealing qualification.

The Chepauk surface should favour spin and slower bowling, which gives CSK a genuine chance at home. However, SRH’s batting depth has consistently delivered under pressure this season.

Prediction: SRH to win narrowly. Expect a low-margin contest with Hyderabad’s middle order making the difference late in the innings.

Match 64 – Tuesday 19 May : RR vs LSG

Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur : 7:30 PM IST

Rajasthan Royals host a Lucknow Super Giants side whose campaign has effectively collapsed. LSG are still technically alive, but their poor net run rate and inconsistent performances have left them hanging by a thread.

RR, meanwhile, remain firmly in the playoff hunt. Jaipur has once again become a difficult venue for visiting teams, and Rajasthan’s aggressive top order should enjoy the conditions.

Lucknow simply have not found rhythm with either bat or ball this year, while RR continue to look like one of the more complete squads in the competition.

Prediction: RR to win comfortably. Rajasthan’s batting depth and home conditions should prove too strong.

Match 65 – Wednesday 20 May : KKR vs MI

Eden Gardens, Kolkata : 7:30 PM IST

Few IPL fixtures carry more history than Kolkata Knight Riders against Mumbai Indians, but this year’s clash feels different. Both teams have underachieved and now find themselves fighting to keep fading playoff hopes alive.

KKR enter the match knowing defeat could eliminate them completely. Mumbai Indians are in a similar position after an inconsistent season filled with batting collapses and bowling struggles.

Eden Gardens has produced high-scoring matches throughout IPL 2026, and KKR’s power hitters could thrive in familiar conditions.

Prediction: KKR to win. Kolkata’s stronger spin attack and home advantage should edge a high-scoring contest.

Match 66 – Thursday 21 May : GT vs CSK

Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad : 7:30 PM IST

Gujarat Titans continue to look like one of the most organised sides in IPL 2026. Their bowling unit has controlled matches brilliantly, while their top order has delivered consistently under pressure.

For Chennai Super Kings, this could become a virtual elimination game depending on earlier results in the week. Winning in Ahmedabad is never easy, especially against a GT side chasing a top-two finish.

The Narendra Modi Stadium traditionally rewards aggressive batting in the second innings, which could make the toss hugely important.

Prediction: GT to win. Gujarat simply look more complete and far more composed heading into the business end of the tournament.

Match 67 – Friday 22 May : SRH vs RCB

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad : 7:30 PM IST

This is the blockbuster fixture of the week.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been the best team in IPL 2026 and are now within touching distance of finishing top of the table. Their batting lineup has dominated attacks throughout the season, while their bowling unit has improved dramatically compared to previous campaigns.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, however, remain one of the few sides capable of matching RCB shot for shot. Hyderabad’s explosive batting order has consistently posted huge totals at home this season.

Expect fireworks in what could easily become a playoff preview.

Prediction: RCB to win a run-fest. Bengaluru’s batting depth and current momentum give them a slight edge in what should be one of the matches of the season.

Match 68 – Saturday 23 May : LSG vs RR

BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow : 7:30 PM IST

Rajasthan Royals could arrive in Lucknow with qualification still hanging in the balance, which would immediately make this one of the most pressurised games of the week.

Ekana Stadium traditionally produces slower surfaces that suit disciplined bowling attacks, but RR have adapted well in difficult conditions throughout IPL 2026.

Lucknow Super Giants may already be eliminated by this point, though pride alone should still make them competitive at home.

Prediction: RR to win. Rajasthan have far more urgency, greater batting consistency and significantly more momentum heading into the final weekend.

Match 69 – Sunday 24 May : MI vs DC

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai : 3:30 PM IST

The final league-stage match of the week could still carry playoff implications, particularly for Delhi Capitals. DC remain mathematically alive despite their dreadful net run rate, and they may need a massive victory to stand any chance of sneaking into the top four.

Mumbai Indians have endured a disappointing campaign by their standards. Injuries, inconsistency and poor finishing have haunted them all season.

Wankhede usually guarantees runs, and this afternoon fixture should produce another entertaining batting contest.

Prediction: DC to edge it. Delhi’s bowling attack has shown more composure in crunch moments and could make the difference late on.

What this means for the 2026 season.

The IPL 2026 league stage concludes on 24 May before the playoffs begin immediately after.

Qualifier 1 will take place on 26 May in Dharamshala, while the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 are scheduled for New Chandigarh. The IPL 2026 Final is set for 31 May at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

RCB remain favourites to lift the trophy again after dominating most of the season, but history has shown how quickly momentum can shift in the IPL playoffs. Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad look best positioned to challenge them, while the race involving PBKS, CSK, RR, DC and KKR could still produce late drama.

The margins are now razor thin. One collapse, one brilliant innings or one net run rate swing could decide the entire season.