BCCI Confirms IPL 2025 and WPL 2025 Start Dates: The excitement around India’s cricketing season is building as BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla has officially revealed the start dates for the 2025 editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Speaking after the General Body meeting on Sunday, Shukla confirmed that the IPL 2025 will begin on March 23, while the WPL 2025 will start earlier on February 7.
The finals for both leagues are also scheduled, with the WPL concluding on March 2 and the IPL wrapping up on May 25. Earlier reports had suggested that IPL 2025 might commence on March 14. However, the revised date allows players some rest following the ICC Champions Trophy, whose final is set for March 9.
WPL 2025: Four Host Venues Announced
The Women’s Premier League 2025 will feature matches across four venues: Baroda, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Lucknow. This setup allows four out of five teams to enjoy home-crowd support. However, the two-time finalists, Delhi Capitals, will play all their matches at away venues. The exact number of matches to be hosted at each venue is yet to be finalized, but the decision ensures wider audience engagement and diverse regional participation.
IPL 2025: Match Count and Format
The IPL 2025 will follow the same format as the previous seasons, featuring a total of 74 matches, consistent with the 2023 and 2024 editions. Earlier speculation suggested an expansion to 84 matches in 2025 and 2026, with a further increase to 94 matches in 2027. However, the BCCI has decided against extending the schedule, aiming to reduce player workload and maintain a balanced format.
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Full Schedule Expected by January 2025
The BCCI has announced that another General Body meeting is scheduled for January 18, 2025, where the official schedules for both IPL and WPL are likely to be finalized. Fans can expect the complete itinerary for these tournaments to be released by the end of January 2025, adding to the anticipation of the upcoming cricketing action.
With these announcements, cricket fans across the globe can mark their calendars and look forward to an action-packed season in 2025. Both the IPL and WPL continue to grow in popularity, offering thrilling matches and showcasing exceptional talent on the global stage.