Ahmedabad Set to Host Third IPL Final; Mumbai Likely for Playoffs

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is poised to host the IPL 2025 final, marking the third time in four years that the venue will hold the prestigious match. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially confirm the revamped playoff venues, but Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium is reportedly under consideration for the remaining playoff games, contingent on weather conditions.

Previously, Ahmedabad hosted the IPL final in 2022 and 2023. In the 2022 final, Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals on their home turf, while the 2023 final saw Chennai Super Kings narrowly edge out Gujarat Titans in a thrilling conclusion.

The BCCI has yet to announce the official venues for the playoffs, with reports indicating that Hyderabad and Kolkata, initially selected to host playoff games, are no longer on the list. This decision was influenced by a combination of security concerns and the threat of adverse weather conditions. The reworked schedule for IPL 2025 left the playoff venues listed as "TBD."

Weather Impacting Playoff Venue Decisions

While Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, with its 1.32-lakh seating capacity, remains the favorite for the final on June 3, the second venue for the playoffs will depend largely on weather forecasts. Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium has been identified as a strong contender for hosting Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, though seasonal summer showers expected in late May and early June could complicate the decision.

To mitigate the risk of weather disruptions, the BCCI may opt for a backup plan, possibly moving the playoffs to one of six selected North Indian cities. These cities include Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium, Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Lucknow's BRSABV Ekana Stadium, and Bangalore's M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The report indicated that logistical continuity, including the completion of Kolkata's quota of IPL 2025 games and Hyderabad's elimination from playoff contention, were key factors in the exclusion of these cities from the list of potential playoff venues.

Unpredictable Weather Alters Venues

The uncertainty surrounding the weather has played a major role in the venue selection process. Both Kolkata and Hyderabad, despite being historical IPL hotspots, are no longer part of the shortlist due to their weather patterns and the current status of the tournament. With logistical constraints in mind, the BCCI will likely finalize the venues soon, keeping an eye on the weather forecasts for the crucial playoff period.

As the IPL 2025 playoffs approach, fans can expect exciting matchups, but the weather will remain a critical factor in determining the final hosting arrangements.