Eden Gardens, the iconic fortress of the Kolkata Knight Riders, is set to take centre stage in IPL 2025, hosting both the season opener on March 22 and the grand finale on May 25. The historic venue, which last hosted an IPL final in 2013 and 2015, will also be the battleground for Qualifier 2 on May 23. This marks a long-awaited return of the IPL summit clash to Kolkata, a city known for its passionate cricket fanbase and electrifying atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad, the home turf of last year’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad, will play a crucial role in the playoffs, hosting both Qualifier 1 on May 20 and the Eliminator on May 21. With two of the biggest cricketing hubs in India sharing the knockout stage, fans can expect a thrilling culmination to the tournament.
IPL 2025 will be a marathon of entertainment, featuring 74 matches over 65 days, packed with 12 double-headers to keep the action intense. The season kicks off with a high-voltage clash between defending champions KKR and Royal Challengers Bengaluru under the lights at Eden Gardens. The very next day, cricket lovers will be treated to a blockbuster double-header.
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First up, Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on Rajasthan Royals, setting the stage for a mouth-watering encounter. Later in the evening, one of the IPL’s most legendary rivalries will unfold as Chennai Super Kings lock horns with Mumbai Indians in a battle of the five-time champions.
Afternoon fixtures continue to be an integral part of the schedule, with Royals, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Gujarat Titans playing three day matches each, while the remaining seven teams will feature in two afternoon games each. The start time for these day matches remains unchanged at 3:30 PM IST.
Mark your calendars, folks! 🥳🗓#TATAIPL 2025 kicks off on March 2️⃣2️⃣ with a clash between @KKRiders and @RCBTweets 🤜🤛
When is your favourite team’s first match? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/f2tf3YcSyY
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 16, 2025
A total of 13 venues will host the tournament this year, including the 10 primary home grounds of each franchise, along with Guwahati (Rajasthan’s secondary home), Visakhapatnam (Delhi’s secondary home), and Dharamsala (Punjab Kings’ secondary home). Guwahati and Vizag will host two matches each, while Dharamsala has been allotted three games.
Punjab Kings, who traditionally play two matches per season in the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, will see an additional game scheduled at the venue this year. They will face Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants in a home stretch between May 4 and 11, making them the only team to enjoy three consecutive home fixtures.
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While teams will have to endure back-to-back matches with minimal rest, no franchise will be subjected to three straight-away games. Continuing with the format introduced in 2022, teams are divided into two groups: Group A consists of KKR, RCB, Royals, CSK, and Punjab, while Group B comprises SRH, Capitals, Titans, Mumbai, and LSG.
Each team will play the other sides in its group once and one selected team from the opposite group twice, ensuring a fair mix of matchups. Despite being in separate groups, the celebrated rivalry between Mumbai Indians and CSK will play out twice.
Following their March 23 encounter, the two teams will meet again on April 20 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium for another Sunday showdown. Meanwhile, RCB, Mumbai, Punjab, and LSG will all begin their campaigns with away matches before finally playing their first home games in April.
RCB, who staged a stunning turnaround last season by winning six consecutive matches after a dismal start, will benefit from a home-heavy end to their campaign, with four of their last six matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With a well-balanced schedule, historic rivalries, and multiple teams eager to make their mark, IPL 2025 promises to be another exhilarating ride for cricket fans worldwide.
