The Indian Premier League (IPL) continues to be one of the most celebrated cricketing tournaments in the world, and the 2025 season is already generating excitement among fans and analysts alike. As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially released the IPL 2025 schedule, anticipation is peaking, with teams preparing to battle it out in this high-stakes, two-month-long tournament. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, knowing the IPL 2025 schedule is essential to keep up with your favorite teams, players, and matchups.
Let’s examine the complete IPL 2025 schedule, key fixtures, venues, and what to expect this season.
When Does IPL 2025 Start and End?
The IPL 2025 season is set to kick off on March 22, 2025, and conclude with the grand finale on May 25, 2025. This marks the 18th edition of the tournament, a journey that began in 2008 and has since grown into a cricketing spectacle that blends world-class talent, nail-biting finishes, and global entertainment.
The opening match features defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens, setting the tone for a fierce and competitive season.
IPL 2025 Format: What’s New?
IPL 2025 retains the popular double round-robin format, where each of the ten teams will face one another twice — once at home and once away. This means 74 matches, including 12 double-headers throughout the season. Afternoon games begin at 3:30 PM IST, while evening fixtures kick off at 7:30 PM IST.
The top four teams at the end of the league stage will qualify for the playoffs: Qualifier
1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. The venues for the playoff stages are yet to be announced, but fans can expect them to occur in major cricketing hubs across India.
Teams Participating in IPL 2025
Here are the ten teams competing this season:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Punjab Kings (PBKS)
- Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Gujarat Titans (GT)
Each team brings a unique blend of experience, young talent, and international stars — making every match unpredictable and thrilling.
IPL 2025 Key Fixtures to Watch
Here are some of the most anticipated matchups during the first leg of IPL 2025:
- March 22: KKR vs. RCB – The season opener at Eden Gardens will set the stage for what’s to come.
- March 24: RR vs. LSG (Jaipur, 3:30 PM) and GT vs. MI (Ahmedabad, 7:30 PM) – A double-header day featuring top playoff contenders.
- March 26: CSK vs. GT (Chennai) – A rematch from a previous IPL final, featuring MS Dhoni leading the Yellow Army at Chepauk.
- March 31: GT vs. SRH (Ahmedabad, afternoon) and DC vs. CSK (Visakhapatnam, evening) – Another double-header with playoff implications.
As the season progresses, rivalries such as MI vs. CSK, RCB vs. KKR, and DC vs. PBKS will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
IPL 2025 Full Schedule: Opening Week Highlights
Here’s a quick snapshot of the matches scheduled during the opening week:
- March 22: KKR vs. RCB, Kolkata
- March 23: PBKS vs. DC (Mohali) and KKR vs. SRH (Kolkata)
- March 24: RR vs. LSG (Jaipur) and GT vs. MI (Ahmedabad)
- March 25: RCB vs. PBKS (Bengaluru)
- March 26: CSK vs. GT (Chennai)
- March 27: SRH vs. MI (Hyderabad)
- March 28: RR vs. DC (Jaipur)
- March 29: RCB vs. KKR (Bengaluru)
- March 30: LSG vs. PBKS (Lucknow)
- March 31: GT vs. SRH (Ahmedabad) and DC vs. CSK (Visakhapatnam)
These early games are crucial in shaping team momentum and rankings as the tournament progresses.
Venues for IPL 2025 Matches
Matches will be hosted in 13 different venues across India, offering a widespread reach to IPL fans across states. The list includes iconic stadiums such as:
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
- Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
- HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
- Barasat Stadium, Kolkata (for reserve games)
- ACA–VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam
- Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, Mohali
This geographic spread ensures local fan engagement while providing varying pitch and weather conditions that challenge teams differently.
IPL 2025: What to Expect
With new player auctions done, squad combinations shuffled, and seasoned campaigners returning from international duty, IPL 2025 promises:
- Explosive batting showdowns – Expect high-scoring thrillers as power hitters like Glenn Maxwell, Jos Buttler, and Suryakumar Yadav take center stage.
- Emerging Indian talent – Youngsters like Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma are expected to shine.
- Bowling dominance – With Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja in the mix, bowlers will look to control games.
- Captaincy masterclasses – The return of stalwarts like MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya’s leadership for MI, and Rishabh Pant’s comeback for DC will be under the spotlight.
How to Follow the IPL 2025 Schedule
Fans can follow live scores, fixtures, and real-time updates from the official IPL website www.iplt20.com. The platform also offers video highlights, expert commentary, and post-match analysis.
The IPL mobile app provides alerts, notifications, and personalized team tracking features for those preferring mobile updates.
Final Thoughts
The Indian Premier League Schedule 2025 has blockbuster games, iconic venues, and intense rivalries. Whether cheering from the stands or tuning in from your living room, the 2025 season promises daily edge-of-the-seat action.
From veteran captains’ strategic brilliance to new-generation stars’ fiery performances, IPL 2025 is more than just a cricket tournament — it’s a celebration of the sport that unites a billion hearts.
So mark your calendars, pick your teams, and get ready for a cricketing extravaganza like no other.
