The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed the schedules for the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the next three seasons—2025, 2026, and 2027.
The 2026 season will take place from March 15 to May 31. The 2027 season will take place from March 14 to May 30.
IPL Schedule Overview
- IPL 2025 Dates: The tournament will kick off on March 14, 2025, and conclude with the final on May 25, 2025.
- IPL 2026 Dates: Scheduled to run from March 15, 2026, to May 31, 2026.
- IPL 2027 Dates: Set to take place from March 14, 2027, to May 30, 2027.
This early announcement marks a significant departure from previous practices where schedules were often released closer to the tournament dates.
The BCCI communicated these dates via email to all ten franchises, emphasizing the IPL’s growing prominence in the cricket calendar.
Why did BCCI announce IPL starting dates?
Enhanced Planning for Franchises: By providing a clear window for the next three seasons, franchises can better strategize their player acquisitions and preparations. This is particularly crucial as the mega auction for IPL 2025 is set to occur on November 24 and 25, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
International Player Availability: The defined schedules allow overseas players to prioritize their commitments, minimizing last-minute withdrawals. Most Full Member countries have already granted their players clearance to participate in the IPL over these three years, with notable exceptions like Pakistan due to ongoing political issues.
Match Structure: Each of the upcoming seasons is expected to feature 74 matches, consistent with the last three seasons. However, this number is ten matches fewer than what was proposed during the media rights auction in 2022.
Key Players and IPL Auction Insights
The IPL auction will see a total of 574 players, including prominent names like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, up for grabs.
The auction format allows franchises to fill up to 204 slots, with a maximum of 70 available for overseas players.
Notably, England’s Jofra Archer has confirmed his availability for all three seasons and has set his base price at INR 2 crore.
