IPL First Match: A Look at Every Season’s Opening Game

IPL 2025 Opening Match will see Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

The official IPL 2025 schedule has been released by the BCCI, with the tournament set to begin on March 22nd as Kolkata Knight Riders take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first IPL 2025 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A total of 74 matches are scheduled, including 70 league games and four playoff matches.

The playoffs will be held in Hyderabad and Kolkata, with the final set to take place on May 25th in Kolkata. Notably, this opening match marks the second time since 2008 that these two teams will face each other in the season opener.

The first match of any tournament is always crucial, setting the tone for the season. Here’s a look at the results of all IPL season openers since the tournament’s inception.

History of IPL First Matches: Season-Wise Results

SeasonTeamsVenueDateWinner
2008Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight RidersM Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru18 April 2008KKR won by 140 runs
2009Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai IndiansNewlands, Cape Town18 April 2009MI won by 19 runs
2010Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight RidersDr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai12 March 2010KKR won by 11 runs
2011Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight RidersMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai8 April 2011CSK won by 2 runs
2012Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai IndiansMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai4 April 2012MI won by 8 wickets
2013Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi DaredevilsEden Gardens, Kolkata3 April 2013KKR won by 6 wkts
2014Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight RidersSheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi16 April 2014KKR won by 41 runs
2015Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai IndiansEden Gardens, Kolkata8 April 2015KKR won by 7 wkts
2016Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune SupergiantsWankhede Stadium, Mumbai9 April 2016RPS won by 9 wkts
2017Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers BengaluruRajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad5 April 2017SRH won by 35 runs
2018Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super KingsWankhede Stadium, Mumbai7 April 2018CSK won by 1 wkts
2019Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers BengaluruMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai23 March 2019CSK won by won by 7 wkts
2020Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super KingsSheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi19 September 2020CSK won by 5 wkts
2021Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers BengaluruMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai9 April 2021RCB won by 2 wkts
2022Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight RidersWankhede Stadium, Mumbai26 March 2022KKR won by won by 6 wkts
2023Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super KingsNarendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad31 March 2022GT won by 5 wkts
2024Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers BengaluruMA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai22 March 2022CSK won by 6 wickets

IPL First Match FAQs

Which was the first match in IPL history?

The first match in IPL history was played on April 18, 2008, between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

Who faced the first ball in IPL history?

Sourav Ganguly was the first-ever batsman to face a ball in IPL history, delivered by Praveen Kumar in 2008.

Who won the first IPL match ever?

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the first IPL match in 2008, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 140 runs.

Which teams have played the most IPL opening matches?

Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have played the most IPL season openers.

Which team has won the most IPL opening matches?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have won the most IPL opening matches.

When and where will the IPL 2025 first match be played?

The first match of IPL 2025 is scheduled for March 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, between KKR and RCB.

What was the biggest win in an IPL opening match?

The biggest win in an IPL opening match was in 2008 when KKR defeated RCB by 140 runs.