IPL 2025 opening ceremony buzz: One Republic, Bollywood stars, celebrations across 13 venues on cards

The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin with a dazzling opening ceremony at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on March 22, 2025. This year’s spectacle will reportedly go beyond cricket, featuring an extravagant mix of Bollywood stars, top musicians, and international performers to set the stage for an electrifying tournament.

Star-Studded Line-Up

The ceremony is expected to feature some of the biggest names in the Indian film industry. Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Vicky Kaushal, and Sanjay Dutt are among those anticipated to attend, as per a report by The Times of India.

The musical lineup is equally impressive, with Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal delivering soulful performances. High-energy dance routines by Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Disha Patani will add to the excitement.

Additionally, Punjabi music star Karan Aujla is expected to bring his unique flair to the event. Reports also suggest that American pop band One Republic has been approached to perform.

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Nationwide Celebrations Across 13 Venues

For the first time, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has planned opening ceremonies across all 13 venues hosting IPL matches this season. Each stadium will feature a cultural lineup of national and regional artists to ensure fans across India experience the festivities firsthand.

“We wanted to add more flavour to the tournament so that spectators from each venue can get a taste of the opening ceremony,” a BCCI source told Sportstar. “The idea is to have a varied pool of Bollywood artists performing at different venues, with two to three artists accommodated per event.”

However, organising such a large-scale celebration presents logistical challenges, and the BCCI is coordinating closely with state cricket associations to ensure smooth execution.

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Kickstarting the Cricket Action

Following the grand celebrations, IPL 2025 will officially commence with the season opener between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens.