Which stadiums have hosted IPL openers over the years? - Check Here

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has seen its opening matches played in some of the most iconic cricket stadiums across India and even the overseas countries. M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, hosted the first-ever match of the Indian Premier League in 2008. The second season of the league was played in South Africa. Since then, different stadiums have hosted the IPL openers over the years.

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, hosted the five IPL openers, which is the highest among all stadiums. Wankhede Stadium has hosted the IPL opening match three times, while Eden Gardens, Kolkata, hosted it twice, and is set to host the IPL 2025 opener on March 22 as well. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, have each hosted the first match of the IPL once.

Apart from the Indian stadium, the IPL openers have also played in foreign venues like Abu Dhabi and Cape Town. In 2009, the IPL was played in South Africa, where Newlands, Cape Town, hosted the first match, while in 2014 and 2020, the IPL openers were played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

List of stadiums which have hosted IPL openers over the years

The IPL 2025 opener is set to be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, between last season's finalist Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22. This is the third time Eden Gardens is hosting the first game of the IPL after 2015.