Jeddah, the pulsating city of Saudi Arabia has been finalised as the venue for the much-awaited IPL 2025 mega auction, to be held on November 24 and 25, after a last-minute change in plans.
IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Key Updates and Insights
Venue Change
- New Venue: The auction will now be held at Abady Al Johar Arena (Benchmark Arena) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Previous Venue: Riyadh was initially chosen but was replaced after a last-minute decision.
- Accommodation: Stakeholders and participants will stay at the Hotel Shangri-La, located just 10 minutes from the venue.
Dates and Timing
- Dates: November 24 and 25, 2025.
- Timing: The auction is scheduled for the afternoon (IST) to avoid overlapping with the live broadcast of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s first Test match.
Concurrent Events
- The auction coincides with the India-Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the first Test starting on November 22 in Perth.
- Disney Star, which holds broadcast rights for both events, has strategically scheduled the auction to minimize viewership conflicts.
Player Registration Overview
- Total Registered Players: 1574
- Capped Players: 320
- Uncapped Players: 1224
- Associate Nation Players: 30
Star Players Likely to Attract High Bids
- Rishabh Pant: Explosive wicketkeeper-batsman with proven IPL success.
- Shreyas Iyer: Dynamic batsman and experienced leader.
- KL Rahul: Reliable top-order batsman with consistent performances.
- Arshdeep Singh: Emerging fast bowler known for his death-over skills.
- Ishan Kishan: Aggressive opener and adept wicketkeeper.
Bidding Strategies
- Teams are expected to focus on top-tier Indian talent and versatile overseas players to fill key roles.
- With retentions already announced, high-profile players like Pant, Iyer, and Kishan are likely to spark intense bidding wars, potentially breaking price records.
Why Jeddah?
- The BCCI considered several international venues, including Dubai, Singapore, and Vienna, but opted for Jeddah for its logistical readiness, proximity to India, and facilities for a high-profile event like the IPL auction.
Trivia
- The IPL auction is one of the most-watched sporting events globally, drawing massive attention from cricket enthusiasts and analysts alike.
- Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the auction is a landmark move, showcasing cricket’s growing appeal in non-traditional markets.
