IPL 2025 Final venue shifted from Kolkata to Ahmedabad. BCCI announces new playoff schedule citing weather and logistics. Know the full story behind the sudden change and updated match dates.
Kolkata Loses IPL 2025 Final to Ahmedabad – What Went Wrong?
Cricket fans in Kolkata were in for a heartbreak as the grand finale of IPL 2025, which was originally scheduled at the iconic Eden Gardens on May 25, has now been shifted. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made a surprise announcement, moving the final to Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The reason? A mix of weather concerns, logistics, and recent disruptions due to geopolitical tensions.
Ahmedabad Gets Lucky Again – Final Set for June 3
This isn’t Ahmedabad’s first rodeo. The city had previously hosted the finals in both 2022 and 2023. Now, it’s back in the spotlight with the 2025 final scheduled for June 3. Alongside the final, Qualifier 2 will also be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, cementing its status as BCCI’s preferred mega-match venue.
Mullanpur Takes Center Stage for Early Playoffs
While Ahmedabad hosts the climax, the playoff journey begins in Mullanpur. The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium will host Qualifier 1 on May 29 and the Eliminator on May 30. These matches were earlier supposed to take place in Hyderabad, but the venue was also changed due to strategic reshuffling by the IPL Governing Council.
Why the Sudden Overhaul in Schedule?
BCCI cited “weather conditions and operational factors” behind the revised schedule. The tournament had also taken an unexpected eight-day break due to India-Pakistan military tensions. As a result, the board had to rejig the entire playoff calendar. The league resumed on May 17 and now has a restructured timeline leading up to the final.
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Playoff Race Heats Up – Who’s In and Who’s Still Fighting?
So far, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings have secured their playoff spots. The battle for the fourth and final spot is intense between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians. Delhi stands at 13 points from 12 games and must win both of their remaining matches to avoid last-minute complications. If Mumbai defeats Delhi on Wednesday, they’ll punch their ticket with 14 points.
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Time Buffer Introduced for Remaining League Matches
In a final twist, BCCI announced a one-hour buffer for the remaining league stage games to account for any delays. This rule kicks off with the May 20 match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. The league stage wraps up on May 27 before the playoff fireworks begin.
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