Mumbai: In a remarkable decision, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed the “windows” – essentially the start and end dates – for the next three Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons.
As franchises gear up for the IPL 2025 mega auction set for November 24 and 25 in Saudi Arabia, the board has notified them of the schedules not just for the upcoming season but for the following two as well.
The BCCI is said to have secured player availability confirmations from other major cricket boards. The IPL 2025 season is reportedly set to commence on March 14, with the final planned for May 25.
BCCI also shared the dates for the IPL 2026 and IPL 2027 seasons with the franchises. The 2026 season will run from March 15 to May 31, and the 2027 season from March 14 to May 30.
The 2025 season will feature 74 matches, which is 10 less than the number listed when the media rights for the 2023-27 cycle were auctioned in 2022.
While these are the “windows” communicated to the franchises, a shift in dates is considered unlikely.
The BCCI’s announcement of the windows for the next three IPL seasons will enable other cricket boards to schedule their bilateral series accordingly. With the BCCI enforcing stringent rules on overseas players’ participation in the IPL, it has become crucial for cricket boards to prevent their bilateral series from overlapping with the IPL.
A total of 574 players are slated to be showcased in the mega auction taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25.
Of these 574 players, 366 are from India and 208 hail from overseas, including 3 from associate nations. The auction roster will feature 318 uncapped Indian players along with 12 uncapped players from overseas.
There are 204 slots open, with 70 designated for overseas players. The top reserve price is set at Rs 2 crore, with 81 players choosing to be listed in this highest bracket.
