The Indian Premier League 2025 is set to begin on March 22, featuring 74 matches across 13 venues. However, ahead of the tournament, the Health Ministry has written a letter to the IPL chairman.
In the letter, the ministry has requested that advertisements for tobacco and alcohol products should not be shown during IPL matches. It highlights the rising cases of cancer, lung diseases, diabetes, and hypertension in India, stating that tobacco and alcohol are major contributors to these non-communicable diseases. India ranks second in the world for tobacco-related deaths, and alcohol consumption is responsible for approximately 1.4 million deaths annually in the country.
With IPL being India’s biggest sporting event, the ministry emphasized that tobacco and alcohol promotions occur directly and indirectly through this platform. It urged that strict measures should be taken to ban these advertisements both inside and outside stadiums. Additionally, the ministry recommended that such ads should not be aired during television broadcasts. The letter also called for a ban on the sale of tobacco and alcohol products at IPL-related events.
When Will IPL 2025 Be Played?
IPL 2025 will commence on March 22, with the final match scheduled for May 25. The playoff matches will be held in Hyderabad and Kolkata, with Qualifier 2 and the final set to take place in Kolkata, while Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator will be hosted in Hyderabad.
How Many Matches Will Be Played?
Similar to last season, 10 teams will compete in IPL 2025. Over 65 days, a total of 74 matches, including the final, will be played across 13 venues in India.
