In a groundbreaking announcement, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has unveiled the schedule for its next three seasons, marking a strategic move in its long-term planning. The 2025 edition of IPL is set to kick off on March 14, with the grand finale scheduled for May 25. Following that, the 2026 season will span from March 15 to May 31, and the 2027 season will run from March 14 to May 30.

The decision was communicated to the franchises via an email on Thursday, which ESPNcricinfo accessed. The IPL referred to these dates as "windows," yet they are expected to serve as the definitive schedule for the forthcoming tournaments. The 2025 season will feature 74 matches, maintaining consistency with the previous three seasons. However, this number is notably 10 matches fewer than the 84 initially projected in the IPL's 2022 media rights documentation for the 2023-27 cycle.

The tender document from the IPL for the new media rights cycle outlined a varying number of matches per season. It suggested that there would be 74 matches in both 2023 and 2024, increasing to 84 matches in 2025 and 2026, and peaking at 94 matches in the final year of the deal in 2027.

In a significant boost for the franchises, overseas players from most Full Member countries have received approval from their respective cricket boards to participate in the IPL for the next three years. This includes cricketing powerhouses such as Australia, England, and South Africa. However, players from Pakistan remain excluded due to the ongoing political tensions since 2008.

The IPL's email provided a detailed breakdown of the availability of overseas players for the 2025-2027 seasons. Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed the full availability of Australian players, aligning with the trend of international support for the league.

This development not only underscores the IPL's commitment to delivering high-octane cricket but also highlights its strategic approach to securing player participation well in advance, ensuring that fans across the globe can witness some of the best talents in the sport.