No increase in matches in IPL 2025 as BCCI keen on workload management of Indian stars: Reports

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) will be having a total of 74 matches like last season and not 84 matches. This has been done by the BCCI so that the Indian International players get their adequate rest before taking part in the World Test Championship Finals. As per the mandate, a total of 84 matches were slated to played in 2025 and 2026, however, now according to reports that won’t be the case.

When the IPL media rights were sold in for the ongoing cycle – 2023-27, it was clarified that in 2023 and 2024 a total of 74 matches would be played. The next two years would see 84 matches and then the final year of the cycle would see a mammoth 94 matches in 2027.

But that won’t be the case this time. With the WTC Finals happening soon after the conclusion of the IPL 2025, the BCCI is keen in the workload management of the Indian players. India currently tops the WTC Standings and is in prime position to play the WTC Finals in Lord’s in 2025 in June.

The dates for IPL is yet to be made, but reports claim that the cash-rich tournament would be held from the middle of March and conclude in the last week of May. “We have not taken a call on organising 84 matches in IPL 2025 since we also have to factor the load on the players due to the increase in matches. While it’s (84 matches) part of the contract, it’s up to the BCCI to decide whether to organise 74 or 84 matches,” Jay Shah told The Economic Times.

Since there isn’t likely to be an increase in the number of IPL matches for this season, the Media rights special package can take a hit. There are four packages for the media rights which was sold for a whopping 48,390.5 crore back in 2022. Among the four packages, the digital rights in India to a special package of high-profile games – including the playoffs and the final – ranging between 18 and 22 per season can be hindered.

This special package consists of the opening game of the tournament, the four playoffs including the final and evening matches of the weekends. With 74 games in the schedule, the special package had 18 matches in a season. For every 10 matches increase, 2 games would be added in the package.

If there isn’t an increase in the total number of games, then the number of matches for special package too won’t increase and would remain fixed at 18 games for IPL 2025.