The wait is over, as the Indian Premier League 2025 schedule is now out. For fans, the next two months are going to be packed. IPL 2025 will start on the 22nd of March and run until the 25th of May. If we look at the schedule, most teams are set to play seven games at their home ground. However, not all teams are the same. Three teams, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals, will play their home matches at two venues. While this is not new and we’ve seen it in the past, it is currently a topic of discussion as to why these three teams are playing like this. So, what do we know about this? Let’s take a detailed look.
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals, who are set to play two games in Visakhapatnam and not at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, are likely doing so to reach a broader fan base while also managing the logistical challenges associated with hosting all home games at their primary venue, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. It is important to note that this is not the first time Visakhapatnam will host DC matches. Last year, in IPL 2024, DC played quite a few games there. Now, with the BCCI retaining Visakhapatnam as one of the non-regular centers, it continues this trend. Delhi Capitals will face Lucknow Super Giants on March 24 at Vishakhapatnam. Following that, they will play against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 30, also in Vizag.
Rajasthan Royals
Well, for Rajasthan Royals, the reason is quite similar to that of Delhi Capitals—it’s about increasing fan engagement, or more specifically, enhancing regional engagement. They are playing at two venues, one at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium and the other at their official venue, Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. It also came to light that the Jaipur stadium is not ready at the moment, and that’s why a few initial games will take place at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. RR will play against Kolkata Knight Riders on March 26 and Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at this venue.
Punjab Kings
Now, apart from the first two teams, things are a little different for Punjab Kings. PBKS are splitting their home games between the new stadium in Mullanpur and the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala due to crucial factors. First, the camp is keen on hosting key matches at this ground, and since the ground has a decent seating capacity of 23,000, it will cater to the Himachal audience as well. Since they are also playing at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, this is due to the PCA’s interest in promoting the new stadium. So, with 4 matches at Mullanpur and 3 at Dharamsala, this arrangement balances the team’s desire to play in Dharamsala with the PCA’s interest in promoting Mullanpur Stadium.
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