The Indian Premier League has been spanning over different grounds for over a decade from its inception in 2008. From the beginning, the IPL has seen most thrilling season openers, setting the stage for thrillers on iconic stadiums across India. Starting the inaugural edition season opener from M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, to last year’s IPL 2024 edition’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The league has witnessed opening clashes over different venues.
Each venue has played a crucial role in kickstarting the tournament with unforgettable encounters. Some editions have even seen IPL openers held overseas, adding to the league’s global appeal. In today’s exploration, we will take a look at the stadiums that have hosted IPL opening matches over the years.
List of stadiums that have hosted IPL Openers over the years
| Date | Year | Teams | Venue | Team Won |
| April 18 | 2008 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs KKR | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | KKR won by 140 runs |
| April 18 | 2009 | Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians | Newlands, Cape Town | MI won by 19 runs |
| March 12 | 2010 | Deccan Chargers vs KKR | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai | KKR won by 11 runs |
| April 8 | 2011 | Chennai Super Kings vs KKR | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | CSK won by 2 runs |
| April 4 | 2012 | Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | MI won by 8 wkts |
| April 3 | 2013 | KKR vs Delhi Daredevils | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | KKR won by 6 wkts |
| April 16 | 2014 | Mumbai Indians vs KKR | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | KKR won by 41 runs |
| April 8 | 2015 | KKR vs Mumbai Indians | Eden Gardens | KKR won by 7 wkts |
| April 9 | 2016 | Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiants | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | RPS won by 9 wkts |
| April 5 | 2017 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs RCB | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | SRH won by 35 runs |
| April 7 | 2018 | Mumbai Indians vs CSK | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | CSK won by 1 wkt |
| March 23 | 2019 | Chennai Super Kings vs RCB | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | CSK won by 7 wkts |
| September 19 | 2020 | Mumbai Indians vs CSK | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | CSK won by 5 wkts |
| April 9 | 2021 | Mumbai Indians vs RCB | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | RCB won by 2 wkts |
| March 26 | 2022 | Chennai Super Kings vs KKR | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | KKR won by 6 wkts |
| March 31 | 2023 | Gujarat Titans vs CSK | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad | GT won by 5 wkts |
| March 22 | 2024 | Chennai Super Kings vs RCB | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | CSK won by 6 wkts |
IPL 2025: Season Opener Venue
With the new edition of IPL kicking in for 2025 from 22 March 2025. The opener match for the season is set to be played at the Eden Gardens Kolkata, where last year’s defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, will take on Royal Challenger Bangaluru.
The IPL 2025 Season will host a total of 74 matches beginning with a high-stakes match between KKR and RCB. The tournament will have league stage matches, and then, based on the points table standings, the top 4 teams will move to the playoff stage, facing each other in the eliminator and Qualifier matches. Moving on from here, only two teams will secure their spots in the final show, scheduled to take place at Eden Gardens.
The qualifier matches for this season will be played in two different locations: The Qualifier 1 and Eliminator will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, whereas the Qualifier 2 and Final will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The final and the opener match are set to be played on the same grounds, making it a full circle of high-end thrilling matches.
The IPL season opener is always a grand spectacle, setting the tone for the tournament with exciting matchups and electrifying atmospheres. Over the years, historic venues in India and international locations have hosted the IPL opener matches, especially during special editions. Each stadium brings on its unique specialities, making the IPL opener a must watch event.
