The Indian Premier League (IPL) has decided to maintain the number of matches at 74 for the 2025 season, despite initially planning for 84 matches. This decision is primarily driven by the need to manage the workload of Indian international players, who are expected to participate in the World Test Championship final in June 2025.
The IPL has been a major success since its inception in 2008, attracting a massive fan base and becoming one of the richest sporting leagues in the world. In 2022, the media rights for the 2023-27 cycle were sold for a staggering INR 48,390.5 crore (USD 6.2 billion approx.).
The number of matches in the IPL has varied over the years, with 74 matches being played in the last three seasons. However, the IPL had initially planned to increase the number of matches to 84 in 2025 and 2026, and 94 in 2027.
The decision to reduce the number of matches in 2025 is a significant departure from the original plan. It reflects the BCCI’s commitment to player welfare and the recognition that the increased number of matches could put undue strain on the players.
The IPL dates for the 2025 season have not yet been finalized, but the window is likely to stretch between mid-March and the last week of May. The IPL will determine the number of matches in the special package (package C) based on the total number of games in a season.
The special package includes the tournament opener, weekend evening matches, and the four playoffs, including the final. The opening match and the playoffs will be mandatory, while the IPL will decide which evening matches from the double-headers will be included in this package.
With 74 matches in a season, the special package will have 18 matches. If there are more than 74 matches in a season, the special package matches will rise by two for every ten additional matches.
