Playoff Schedule 2025: What, When, and Where
Everyone wants to know when the big games happen, and the 2025 playoff schedule is finally out. From the IPL knockout rounds to the Asia Cup semi‑finals, we’ve pulled the essential dates, venues and a few handy pointers so you won’t miss a single moment.
Cricket’s biggest knockouts
The IPL is kicking off its playoff drama in early May. After a scorching stint at Eden Gardens (the KKR vs RCB clash that saw temperatures hit 34 °C), the top four teams will meet for Qualifier 1, the Eliminator and then the final. Expect the first playoff match on May 20, 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium, followed by the Eliminator on May 22 in Chennai. The grand finale lands on May 25 in Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede.
Across the border, the UAE vs Bangladesh T20I series wrapped up in May, but the teams are using those games as a warm‑up for the upcoming Asia Cup knockout stage. The Asia Cup 2025 will be hosted in the UAE from September 9‑28. Pakistan’s new captain Salman Ali Agha leads a side that could face India in the semi‑final on September 24 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Keep an eye on the schedule because the final is set for September 28 in Abu Dhabi.
Other sports and major events
Football fans aren’t left out. The Euro 2025 playoffs start in early June, with the first leg of the quarter‑finals on June 5. If you’re tracking the Bundesliga, Cristiano Ronaldo’s record‑breaking season has already added extra excitement to the league’s end‑of‑season fixtures, which double as de facto playoff matches for European spots.
Don’t forget the NBA Playoffs, kicking off on April 19, 2025. The first round runs through early May, and the conference finals wrap up by June 15. For a quick watch, tune into the decisive Game 7 of the Western Conference on June 10 – it’s often the most thrilling showdown of the year.
Now that you know the dates, here are three quick tips to make sure you catch every match:
- Set alerts. Use your phone’s calendar or a sports app to get push notifications a few hours before each game.
- Check local broadcast info. Some matches, like the UAE‑Bangladesh T20Is, stream only on specific platforms such as FanCode in India.
- Plan for weather. Hot and humid conditions, like the KKR vs RCB day at Eden Gardens, can affect match timing. Keep an eye on weather updates before stepping out.
That’s the rundown for the 2025 playoff schedule across the biggest leagues. Mark your calendar, set those alerts, and enjoy the action – because every knockout game brings its own drama, and you’ll want to be there for it.
