Cricket fans, rejoice! The wait is over, and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 schedule is finally here. As India gears up for the most thrilling T20 extravaganza, excitement is palpable among fans and franchises alike. With fixtures locked, cities mapped, and stadiums primed, it’s time to dive into everything you need to know about the IPL 2025 calendar.
Whether you’re a superfan of the Chennai Super Kings or a new follower of the Gujarat Titans, this guide will help you navigate the season like a pro—complete with match dates, team previews, must-watch clashes, and tips to plan your IPL watch parties.
Season Overview: Two Months of Cricketing Glory
The 18th edition of the IPL kicks off on March 22, 2025, and will culminate in a high-stakes final on May 25, 2025. Over two months, 10 teams will face off across 13 venues in 74 matches, including 12 double-header days.
The format remains familiar yet fierce—each team plays 14 matches, with the top 4 moving into the playoffs. The top 2 play Qualifier 1, while teams ranked 3rd and 4th face off in the Eliminator. The winner of the Eliminator meets the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2. The winners of Qualifiers 1 and 2 then clash in the Final.
This means non-stop cricket, high drama, and daily entertainment for fans.
First Ball to Last Call: Opening Week Fixtures
IPL 2025 starts with a banger. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens in the season opener on March 22. Fireworks, music, celebrity performances, and the magic of T20 cricket—it’s a night not to be missed.
Here’s a look at the opening week’s schedule:
- March 22: KKR vs. RCB – Kolkata
- March 23: PBKS vs. DC (Mohali, Afternoon), KKR vs. SRH (Kolkata, Evening)
- March 24: RR vs. LSG (Jaipur, Afternoon), GT vs. MI (Ahmedabad, Evening)
- 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, Afternoon), DC vs. CSK (Visakhapatnam, Evening)
You can already feel the intensity as big names like MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, and Virat Kohli prepare to lead their teams.
All Eyes on These Matchups
The IPL isn’t just about cricket but rivalries, history, and drama. Here are a few matchups you’ll want to circle on your calendar:
- CSK vs. MI: Often dubbed the ‘El Clasico’ of IPL, this clash will again pit two of the most successful teams against each other.
- RCB vs. KKR: This is more than a rivalry—a redemption arc. RCB will want revenge after previous seasons’ setbacks.
- GT vs. RR: A relatively new rivalry but with playoff implications from the get-go.
Also, don’t miss out on homecoming matches—each team plays at its home ground, giving fans a chance to cheer live in their city.
IPL 2025: Cities & Venues in Action
A total of 13 cities will host IPL matches this season. These include established cricketing giants like Mumbai and Chennai and fan-favorite locations like Dharamsala and Visakhapatnam.
Here’s a list of some major venues:
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
- Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
- IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
- ACA–VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam
- HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
Each venue presents a different challenge, from the high-altitude bounce in Dharamsala to the spin-friendly track of Chennai.
Day Games vs. Night Games: The Double-Header Drama
One of the unique aspects of the IPL schedule is the double-header format. On weekends, you get two matches—one in the afternoon and one in the evening. Afternoon games start at 3:30 PM IST, while evening games light up the night at 7:30 PM IST.
This format not only gives fans more action in a single day but also forces teams to be ready for varying conditions—especially dew during the night games, which can impact toss decisions and bowling strategies.
Storylines to Watch This Season
While the schedule gives us dates and times, the stories behind the teams make each match must-watch entertainment.
- MS Dhoni’s potential farewell tour? Will this be the last IPL season for CSK’s iconic captain?
- Pant’s comeback – Rishabh Pant is expected to return for DC after injury. His leadership and batting will be under the spotlight.
- Hardik Pandya’s move to MI – After leading GT to a title, Hardik returns to his original team, this time as captain.
- Young guns to watch – Keep your eyes on players like Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Tilak Varma—future Indian stars in the making.
Playoff Path and Final Destination
While the playoff venues have yet to be confirmed, history tells us to expect them in major metro cities. The final is expected to be a grand spectacle with record-breaking viewership.
The league phase wraps up in mid-May, followed by:
- Qualifier 1 – Top 2 teams
- Eliminator – 3rd vs. 4th placed team
- Qualifier 2 – Winner of Eliminator vs. Loser of Qualifier 1
- Final – The big showdown
Every match in the league stage matters. Net Run Rate (NRR) could once again become the deciding factor in who makes the playoffs.
Where to Track the IPL 2025 Schedule
The best resource for fans who want real-time updates is the official IPL website. It includes:
- Live scores
- Match center with ball-by-ball commentary
- Fixture list by team and venue
- Standings, stats, and player insights
You can also download the IPL mobile app for alerts, fantasy league updates, and behind-the-scenes content.
Final Words: Get Ready for Cricket’s Biggest Festival
The Indian Premier League Schedule 2025 is not just a calendar—it’s the heartbeat of the summer for cricket fans. It’s a roadmap to rivalries, milestones, upsets, centuries, super-overs, and celebrations.
So whether you’re planning match screenings with friends, booking tickets for your city’s games, or prepping your fantasy league squad, now’s the time to lock in your cricket calendar.
