Ahmedabad to Host IPL 2025 Final Amid Weather Concerns
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is leaning toward Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium as the venue for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final, Cricbuzz has learned. While no official announcement has been made, the iconic venue is expected to host both Qualifier 2 and the final on June 1 and 3 respectively.
However, the decision hinges on weather conditions. The BCCI is closely tracking the progress of the monsoon before finalizing venues for the playoffs. So far, forecasts suggest that Ahmedabad will remain dry in early June, making it the frontrunner to stage the climactic matches.
As for the first two playoff games—Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator—Mumbai is under serious consideration. Yet, recent rainfall and persistent overcast conditions have made the BCCI cautious. The board is evaluating other North Indian options such as Delhi, Jaipur, or Lucknow, where rain disruptions are less likely.
Logistics are playing a crucial role in shaping these decisions. The BCCI is unlikely to introduce a new host city for the playoffs, instead selecting from among the six venues already allocated the 17 remaining league fixtures following the IPL's mid-season break. Moving heavy broadcast infrastructure to cities not already on the schedule would pose significant challenges.
This logistical constraint also explains why cities like Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mohali/Dharamsala were excluded from the latter stages. Teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) had only one home game remaining, making it unfeasible to shift equipment for a single match. Additionally, border tensions ruled out both Mohali and Dharamsala, prompting the BCCI to relocate Punjab Kings' remaining home games to Jaipur, which is now hosting three post-break matches.
Weather unpredictability in Kolkata has also resulted in matches being moved away from Eden Gardens. Notably, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have already completed their home schedule, softening the impact.
In a notable exception, CSK and SRH will play their last home fixtures in Delhi. The BCCI is said to have informed franchises that any team with just one home match left will finish their campaign in the capital—except for Mumbai Indians. Mumbai, considered the operational hub of the IPL, continues to be a special case. Broadcast equipment has remained stationed at the Wankhede Stadium since May 6, making the venue a logistically viable option for playoff games.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals (RR), who also had one home match remaining, will play in Jaipur due to its designation as the temporary base for Punjab Kings. This shift has allowed RR’s last fixture to align with the BCCI’s revised scheduling strategy.
The IPL resumes on May 17, with 17 matches to be played across six cities—Mumbai, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Jaipur—leading up to the playoffs and the highly anticipated final.
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