The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced a major reshuffle in the venues for the IPL 2025 playoffs and final.
The marquee final, originally scheduled for Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, will now be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, 2025.
Meanwhile, Mullanpur’s Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium will make its IPL playoff debut by hosting both Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator on May 29 and 30, respectively.
Why the Change in Venues?
The decision to move the final and playoff matches comes in the wake of a week-long suspension of the tournament earlier in the season, caused by escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as the onset of the monsoon season in several parts of India.
The IPL Governing Council cited weather conditions and logistical challenges as the primary reasons for the venue shift.
Kolkata and Hyderabad were initially set to host the last four games, but concerns over rain and scheduling complications prompted the BCCI to opt for cities with more reliable weather in late May and early June.
Revised Playoff Schedule for IPL 2025
- Qualifier 1: May 29, 2025 – Mullanpur, New Chandigarh (Top two teams)
- Eliminator: May 30, 2025 – Mullanpur, New Chandigarh (Third vs Fourth)
- Qualifier 2: June 1, 2025 – Ahmedabad (Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator)
- Final: June 3, 2025 – Ahmedabad (Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2)
This marks the third time in four years that Ahmedabad will host the IPL final, reaffirming its status as the preferred venue for high-profile cricket events.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, with a capacity of over 130,000, offers a world-class setting for the tournament’s climax.
Mullanpur’s Historic Debut
Mullanpur’s inclusion as a playoff venue is a significant milestone, as it will host IPL knockout matches for the first time.
The move also reflects BCCI’s commitment to spreading marquee cricket events across new regions, while ensuring minimal disruption from adverse weather.
Other Venue Adjustments
In addition to the playoff changes, the league match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad has been shifted to Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium due to unfavorable weather in Bengaluru.
The BCCI has also allocated an extra hour to playing conditions for all remaining league and playoff matches to accommodate potential weather interruptions.
