No increase in the number of matches in IPL 2025
New Delhi| Only 74 matches will be played in IPL 2025. This is 10 matches less than the number of matches decided for IPL 2025 during the new media rights sold for the 2023-27 cycle of IPL. According to this, a total of 84 matches were to be played in the upcoming season.
It was mentioned in the tender document for the new cycle that the number of matches per season would also increase. The IPL had reported in it that a total of 74 matches would be played in 2023 and 2024, 84 in 2025 and 2026 while a maximum of 94 matches would be played in 2027, the final year of the deal.
ESPNcricinfo has learned that workload management of Indian players is also a major reason for IPL not increasing the number of matches in the upcoming season. India are in contention to reach the final of the World Test Championship for the third consecutive time which will be played at Lord’s from June 11. BCCI is in favor of providing adequate rest to the players if India enters the final.
The schedule of IPL 2025 has not been finalized yet but it can be played from mid-March till the last week of May. BCCI secretary Jay Shah recently told the Economics Times, “We have not taken any decision regarding 84 matches to be held in IPL 2025”. It is part of the contract and it depends on BCCI how many matches 74 or 84 will be organised in the season
The IPL became one of the richest sports leagues in the world when media rights were sold in 2022. Media rights for IPL sold for 48,390 crore for 2023-27. These rights were sold in four packages: A (TV rights in the Indian subcontinent), B (digital rights in the subcontinent), C (special packages linked to digital rights of some high profile matches) and D (five different regions). Global media rights according to
The IPL said the total number of matches in the season will be based on Package C, also known as the Special Package. This package includes the opening match of the tournament, evening matches on weekends, four playoff matches and the final.
The 2023 and 2024 seasons saw 74 matches played in the IPL, accounting for a total of 18 matches in the special package. If more than 74 matches are played in a season then the matches in the special package will increase by two matches for every additional 10 matches. For example, if 84 matches are played in a season then the number of special package matches will increase from 18 to 20.