Tournament to Kick Off on March 22 with KKR vs RCB Clash

New Delhi, February 17, 2025 The much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 schedule has been officially announced. The tournament will commence with a high-voltage clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22. In a grand return, the IPL 2025 final will also be played at Eden Gardens on May 25marking a momentous occasion for the iconic venue.

Eden Gardens to Host an IPL Final After a Decade

The legendary Eden Gardens will host an IPL final after nearly a decadehaving previously staged the 2013 and 2015 title matches. Additionally, the venue will witness another crucial encounter with Qualifier 2 scheduled for May 3.

Playoff Matches to Be Split Between Kolkata and Hyderabad

While Eden Gardens secures the final and Qualifier 2, Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has been awarded two key playoff matches. Qualifier 1 (May 20) and the Eliminator (May 21) will take place in Hyderabad, giving Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) a significant home-ground advantage.

65 Days, 74 Matches, and 12 Double-Headers

IPL 2025 will span 65 daysfeaturing a total of 74 matchesincluding 12 double-headers. The first double-header is set for March 23promising a thrilling day for cricket fans:

• Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals (Day Match)
• Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians (Prime-Time Match)

The blockbuster CSK vs MI rivalry will once again ignite the IPL stage, drawing millions of viewers worldwide.

Double-Headers: Teams with Most Day Matches

The league phase will feature multiple afternoon matcheswith some teams playing more early fixtures than others:

• Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Gujarat Titans 3 day matches each
• Other seven franchises 2 day matches each

As in previous seasons, afternoon matches will commence at 3:30 pm iswhile evening games will be played under the lights at 7:30 pm is.

Additional Venues: Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Dharamshala to Host Matches

Like last season, some teams will split their home fixtures across multiple venues. IPL 2025 will see matches played in:

• Guwahati (Rajasthan Royals) 2 matches
• Visakhapatnam (Delhi Capitals) 2 matches
• Dharamshala (punjab kings) 3 matches

This expansion to alternate venues ensures a wider fan base engagement and provides diverse playing conditions, keeping the tournament dynamic.

A Thrilling Season Ahead

With Eden Gardens reclaiming the spotlightthe CSK vs MI showdown on opening weekendand a packed calendar of electrifying clashesIPL 2025 is set to deliver another season of top-tier cricket entertainment. The race for the title begins on March 22and fans can expect nothing short of a spectacle filled with high-octane action, strategic battles, and unforgettable performances.