IPL 2025 Mega Auction to Be Held in Jeddah

The anticipation surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is reaching a fever pitch as the event, set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, approaches. This marks the second consecutive year that the IPL auction is held outside of India, following the successful event in Dubai the previous year.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shortlisted 574 players from a total of 1574 registrants to participate in the auction. Among these, 366 are Indian cricketers, while 208 are international players, which includes three from associate nations. The auction aims to fill 204 team slots across the ten participating franchises, with 70 places allocated for overseas players.

Notably, seven Indian players have achieved a place in the prestigious marquee sets. These cricketers include KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Arshdeep Singh. The highest base price at this year’s auction stands at ₹2 crore, a bracket under which 81 players have registered.

Resuming her role as the auctioneer, Mallika Sagar continues to make history following her debut in IPL 2024, succeeding Hugh Edmeades. Her selection represents a shift towards inclusivity and diversity in the traditionally male-dominated role.

Coinciding with the dates of the first India vs Australia Test match in Perth, the BCCI has strategically scheduled the auction to commence shortly after the conclusion of the day’s play. The match begins at 7:50 AM IST and wraps up at 2:50 PM IST, with the auction kicking off ten minutes thereafter.

The Abady Al Johar Arena, more commonly referred to as the Benchmark Arena, will serve as the venue for this auction. Broadcast coverage will be provided by Star Sports, with live telecasts starting at 3:00 PM IST in India. Furthermore, fans can stream the event live via the Jio Cinema application and website.

In related IPL developments, the tournament’s calendar for the next three years has been disclosed. The upcoming 2025 season is set to occur from March 14 to May 25. Subsequent seasons in 2026 and 2027 are scheduled for March 15 to May 31 and March 14 to May 30, respectively. This strategic scheduling aims to maintain continuity and address logistical considerations for both players and franchises.

In a noteworthy development, all overseas players, excluding those from Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions, have been granted clearance for participation by their respective cricket boards. This includes approvals from Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board, and cricket boards from South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe, among others.