As we close-in on the climax of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, there have been some interesting results so far. Now, as we head into the play-offs, we are down to the last few teams fighting hard for the title.
Four teams — Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians — have secured the play-off spots.
RCB and PBKS secured the top two spots, to play in Qualifier 1, while MI and GT will play the Eliminator.
The Sporting News takes a look at which is the most likely team to win the 2025 season as we reach the business end of the season and how the play-off format works.
Who will win the IPL 2025 season? Favourites and latest betting odds
According to Bet365, there is little to choose between RCB and PBKS as the most likely winners of the IPL 2025 season.
PBKS currently have the edge in terms of form and will take some stopping, as they topped the table from the regular season. But they are closely followed in the markets by RCB, who could be the most likely to go all the way in our eyes this season thanks to their consistency on the road. RCB also have the big-game players, such as Virat Kohli, who know how to win in the big moments.
Mumbai Indians' huge fanbase are no doubt hoping their third-favourite odds will land, as they prepare to face Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator.
| Team | Latest odds |
|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | 7/4 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 7/4 |
| Mumbai Indians | 10/3 |
| Gujarat Titans | 15/2 |
IPL 2025 play-off schedule
The final clash will be held on June 3 and the venue has been changed to Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad from Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Before that the Qualifier and Eliminator will take place.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| May 29 | PBKS vs RCB, Qualifier 1 – 7:30 p.m. | Mullanpur |
| May 30 | GT vs MI, Eliminator – 7:30 p.m. | Mullanpur |
| June 1 | Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator, Qualifier 2 – 7:30 p.m. | Ahmedabad |
| June 3 | Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2, Final – 7:30 p.m. | Ahmedabad |
How do IPL 2025 play-offs work? Qualifier and Eliminator explained
During the knockout stage of the IPL, a Qualifier is a match that decides which team will make it to the final of the tournament. There are two Qualifiers played, which determine which two sides will compete to become champions.
Qualifier 1 is the first match of the IPL play-offs, which is played between the teams placed first and second on the league table. Whoever wins it reaches the final, and the loser gets to play Qualifier 2.
Eliminator: An Eliminator match is then played to decide which team will be the first to be knocked out during the IPL play-offs. This game is played between the two sides that finished third and fourth in the league stage of the tournament.
Qualifier 2 is the third match of the IPL playoffs, played between the team that wins the Eliminator and lost Qualifier 1.
IPL 2025 play-off rules
- The top four teams in the IPL league table after all sides have played 14 games will move on to the play-off round of the tournament.
- Teams who finished first and second in the league stage will take on one another in Qualifier 1. The winner of this game will move on to the final, while the loser gets a second chance in Qualifier 2.
- Sides who finished third and fourth will compete with one another in an Eliminator match, with the winner going on to meet the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2, while the loser is knocked out of the competition.
- The winner of Qualifier 2 will join the winner of Qualifier 1 in the IPL Final and decide who is labelled IPL 2025 champion.