IPL 2025 Schedule: Start Date, Venues, Match Timings, Teams Who Will Play?

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The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) is set to kick off on March 21, 2025, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the home ground of the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). As per tradition, the first match will be hosted by the winners of the previous season. The tournament will culminate with the grand finale on May 25, 2025, also at Eden Gardens, ensuring a fitting conclusion to the IPL season at the home of the reigning champions.

This article covers everything you need to know about the IPL 2025 Schedule, including start dates, match timings, playoff venues, broadcasting details, and much more.

IPL 2025 Schedule

IPL 2025: Start Date and Timeline

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has confirmed that IPL 2025 will commence on March 21, a week later than the initially rumored date of March 14, 2025. The delay comes in light of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will conclude on March 9, 2025, giving players a well-deserved break before the IPL season.

EventDate
IPL 2025 StartMarch 21, 2025
IPL 2025 FinalMay 25, 2025
Total Duration2 Months, 4 Days

Opening Match: Who Will Play?

The IPL 2025 season opener will take place at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, featuring defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, KKR won the IPL 2024 title after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final. While the official schedule is yet to be released, KKR is likely to face one of the top teams from IPL 2024 in the opening game.

IPL 2025 Playoff Venues

The playoff matches for IPL 2025 will follow a tradition of being hosted at the home grounds of the finalists from the previous season. Here’s a breakdown of the playoff venues:

Playoff StageVenue
Qualifier 1Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
EliminatorRajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Qualifier 2Eden Gardens, Kolkata
FinalEden Gardens, Kolkata

This format ensures that both Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) get to host playoff games as a reward for their performance in IPL 2024.

IPL 2025 Match Timings

The match timings for IPL 2025 remain unchanged from previous seasons, ensuring convenient viewing times for fans in India:

  • Day Matches: Start at 3:30 PM IST
  • Evening Matches: Start at 7:30 PM IST

Live Streaming and Broadcast Details

Fans across India and the globe can watch IPL 2025 matches live on both television and online platforms.

Broadcasting ChannelStar Sports Network (traditional broadcasting rights)
Live Streaming PlatformJio Cinema (free streaming, as per recent trends)

Note: With the merger of Jio and Star, it is speculated that additional channels may broadcast IPL matches.

Auction Highlights and Team Updates

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction, held in November 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw a total of 182 players sold for ₹639.15 crores. Most teams focused on strengthening their squads while retaining their core players. Below are some key updates for IPL 2025:

Notable Team Retentions and Signings

  1. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Retained stars like Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and Varun Chakravarthy, while signing Quinton de Kock as their wicketkeeper-batsman.
  2. Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Retained MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, along with key additions like Devon Conway and Sam Curran.
  3. Mumbai Indians (MI): Retained Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah, while bringing in Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar.
  4. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Virat Kohli continues to lead a team strengthened by all-rounders like Liam Livingstone and bowlers like Josh Hazlewood.

What to Expect from IPL 2025

  1. Increased Player Workload Management: With IPL 2025 closely following the ICC Champions Trophy, players are expected to follow the ICC’s Code of Conduct regulations for better workload management.
  2. Return of Star Players: Several top players who missed IPL 2024 due to injuries or international commitments, including Jasprit Bumrah, are expected to make a strong comeback this season.
  3. Expanded Global Interest: The auction in Saudi Arabia and the league’s growing global presence hint at an increasing international audience for IPL 2025.

Facts About IPL 2025

  • Defending Champions: Kolkata Knight Riders (3rd title)
  • Runners-Up: Sunrisers Hyderabad
  • Total Teams: 10
  • Venues for Playoffs: Kolkata (Eden Gardens) and Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium)
  • Total Matches: Schedule yet to be finalized.

👉 IPL 2025 Full List of Captains and Their Teams – Check Here

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