IPL 2025: Which Stadium will host Opening Ceremony and Final? Playoffs Schedule, Dates - All you need to Know

The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to kick off with a revised schedule, now beginning on March 21.

This slight change in the IPL schedule comes after earlier communications from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which had initially indicated a tournament window from March 14 to May 25, 2025. However, it is now clarified that those dates were indicative and not the finalized schedule.

As per Cricbuzz, the delay aligns with the conclusion of the Champions Trophy final on March 9, allowing a buffer of nearly two weeks between the two marquee events. However, sources within the broadcasting network have denied requesting the adjustment, leaving room for speculation.

IPL 2025 Schedule - Opening Ceremony and Final in Kolkata

The IPL 2025 is set to commence at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, as the tournament will kickstart with the defending champions. The highly anticipated final will also take place at the iconic Eden Gardens on May 25, ensuring a grand conclusion to the tournament at the home ground of the reigning champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

In terms of venues, Eden Gardens will not only host the opening game but also the final, continuing the IPL tradition of hosting key matches in the home city of the defending champions. Meanwhile, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, last year's runners-up, have been entrusted with hosting two playoff games as both Qualifier 1 and Eliminator will be played in Hyderabad.

The finalized schedule is expected to be released shortly, following the appointment of the new full-term BCCI office bearers-Devjit Saikia as secretary and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia as treasurer-during the Special General Meeting in Mumbai on January 12.

With the final in Kolkata, the iconic Eden Gardens will now host the finale of an IPL for the first time in ten years.

IPL 2025 Playoff Venues

Qualifier 1, Eliminator - Hyderabad

Qualifier 2, Final - Kolkata