The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to begin on March 14 and will conclude on May 25. The dates for the next three seasons have been confirmed by the IPL governing council, with the 2026 season scheduled to take place between March 15 and May 31, and the 2027 edition to be held from March 14 to May 30.
The governing council has described these dates as windows, but they are likely to be finalized as the official dates for the tournament. The 2025 season will consist of 74 matches, ten fewer than initially planned in 2022. Overseas players from most full-member countries have been given clearance by their respective cricket boards to participate in the IPL for the next three years.
Cricket Australia has permitted all its international and domestic players to play in IPL 2025. However, in 2026, Australia will be engaged in a three-match ODI series in Pakistan, scheduled to conclude by March 18. Australian players will join the IPL after the series against Pakistan.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has submitted a list of 18 centrally contracted players who will be available for the next three IPL seasons. Players from South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe are also expected to be fully available for the upcoming seasons.
The mega auction for IPL 2025 will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25, featuring players like Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell. A total of 574 players, including 366 Indian players and 208 overseas players, will be up for grabs. The auction will include 318 Indian uncapped players and 12 uncapped overseas players, with 204 slots available and a highest reserve price of INR 2 Crore for 81 players. The two-day Mega Auction will start at 3 PM IST on November 24.
