IPL 2025 Start Date : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally put an end to months of speculation by confirming the IPL 2025 schedule, with the tournament set to begin on March 22, 2025. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the blockbuster opener at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Here’s everything you need to know about the schedule, key dates, and what to expect from the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League.
The BCCI officially announced the IPL 2025 schedule on February 14, 2025, following months of deliberation over logistical challenges. The tournament will span 65 days, concluding with the final on May 25, 2025, at Eden Gardens. A total of 74 matches will be played across 12 venues, including Guwahati and Dharamsala, ensuring a pan-Indian cricketing carnival.
: March 22, 2025
: May 25, 2025
: 74
: 12 cities, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
The season opener on March 22 will see KKR lock horns with RCB at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This clash is a repeat of the 2024 opener, where RCB triumphed. However, KKR, led by Shreyas Iyer, will aim to defend their title with a revamped squad.
:
: March 22, 2025
: 7:30 PM IST
: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
RCB, still chasing their maiden title, will rely on Virat Kohli’s form and a bolstered bowling attack featuring Lockie Ferguson.
While the complete fixture list is yet to be released, here’s a tentative breakdown:
| Phase | Dates | Key Matches |
|---|---|---|
| March 22 – May 18 | MI vs CSK (April 5), GT vs SRH (April 12) | |
| May 21–25 | Qualifiers, Eliminator, Final |
(March 23, Hyderabad): Last year’s runners-up SRH begin their campaign.
(April 5, Mumbai): The El Clásico of IPL returns.
(April 19, Bengaluru): Kohli vs Gill showdown.
Initial reports suggested a March 14 start, but logistical hurdles—including stadium readiness and overlapping international tours—pushed the date to March 22. The BCCI also aimed to avoid clashing with the Champions Trophy 2025, which concludes on February 28.
Matches will be hosted in 12 cities, with Guwahati and Dharamsala returning as secondary venues:
Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi Stadium)
Mumbai (Wankhede Stadium)
Kolkata (Eden Gardens)
Chennai (MA Chidambaram Stadium)
Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi Stadium)
Bengaluru (M. Chinnaswamy Stadium)
Delhi (Arun Jaitley Stadium)
Lucknow (Ekana Stadium)
Jaipur (Sawai Mansingh Stadium)
Mohali (Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium)
Guwahati (Barsapara Stadium)
Dharamsala (HPCA Stadium)
The league retains its double round-robin format, where each team plays 14 matches (7 home, 7 away). The top four teams advance to the playoffs:
: 1st vs 2nd (Winner advances to final).
: 3rd vs 4th (Loser eliminated).
: Eliminator winner vs Qualifier 1 loser.
: Qualifier 1 winner vs Qualifier 2 winner.
: Star Sports Network (Hindi, English, regional languages).
: JioCinema (free for mobile users; premium plans for ad-free HD).
: Willow TV (USA), Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (Australia).
: When will the full IPL 2025 schedule be released?
A: The BCCI confirmed the full fixture list will drop by February 20, 2025, after finalizing venue allocations.
: Why is the final in Kolkata?
A: IPL tradition mandates the defending champion’s home city hosts the final. KKR won IPL 2024, securing Eden Gardens as the venue.
: Will IPL 2025 clash with elections?
A: No. The BCCI worked with authorities to avoid overlapping with India’s 2025 general elections.
: How many matches will RCB play in Bengaluru?
A: RCB will host 7 matches at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, including clashes against CSK and MI.
: Are there double-headers in IPL 2025?
A: Yes! Afternoon matches (3:30 PM IST) will feature on weekends, starting with SRH vs RR on March 23.
: Defending champs with Sunil Narine and Mitchell Starc.
: Kohli’s quest for a maiden title continues.
: Shubman Gill’s captaincy and Rashid Khan’s spin magic.
: Dhoni’s potential farewell season.
IPL 2025 promises fireworks, from Kohli’s batting masterclasses to Starc’s lethal yorkers. With the schedule finally out, mark your calendars for March 22—the biggest cricketing spectacle on Earth is back!