IPL 2025 Final Moved to Ahmedabad, Chandigarh to Host Two Playoff Matches

The final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will now be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, marking a significant shift from the original venue, Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The decision was finalised during a series of meetings conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday, May 19, according to a report from Cricbuzz.

VENUE SHIFT DUE TO 

GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS

Kolkata was initially chosen to host the IPL 2025 final, honouring the Kolkata Knight Riders’ title win in the previous season. However, escalating cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan compelled the BCCI to revise both the venue and schedule.

As a result, the tournament faced a temporary suspension on May 9 and resumed eight days later, on May 17. The final, originally set for May 25, has now been postponed to June 3.

UPDATED LIST OF VENUES

Following the resumption of the tournament, the BCCI confirmed that the remaining IPL matches would be spread across six cities: Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. Now, in a fresh update, Mullanpur (New Chandigarh), home to the Punjab Kings, has also been added as a venue.

According to Cricbuzz, the first two playoff matches are expected to be hosted in Mullanpur. The second qualifier is likely to take place in Ahmedabad, which will also host the grand finale.

The complete schedule for the playoffs and final is anticipated to be released shortly by the BCCI.

CURRENT PLAYOFF SCENARIO

Three teams have already secured their places in the IPL 2025 playoffs — Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings. The race for the final playoff spot is still on, with Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals battling for qualification.

AHMEDABAD’S GROWING ROLE AS A PREMIER IPL VENUE

The 2025 final will mark the third time that the Narendra Modi Stadium hosts an IPL final, underscoring its growing importance in the tournament’s landscape.

Though Ahmedabad did not have a franchise until 2022, the stadium has a long association with the IPL. It hosted its first IPL game in 2010 and four matches each in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. After a hiatus of five years, it returned to the IPL circuit in 2021 with five matches.

In 2022, the newly formed Gujarat Titans played their debut season, and despite COVID-19 restrictions, Ahmedabad hosted two key matches — the second qualifier and the final. The Titans clinched the title in their maiden campaign, and the 2023 final was also held in Ahmedabad, solidifying the stadium’s reputation as a go-to venue for crucial matches.