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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively seeking a location to host the highly anticipated IPL 2025 auction. While Saudi Arabia has emerged as a frontrunner, the BCCI faces a significant challenge in identifying a suitable venue due to the high cost of hotels in the country. The report by Cricbuzz revealed that the BCCI has narrowed down the options to Riyadh and Jeddah, but a final decision is yet to be made.
Dubai, which hosted the previous year's auction, remains an option but is not the preferred choice for the BCCI. The organization is aiming for a location that can accommodate the two-day event and house the entire IPL entourage, including representatives from the 10 franchises, two broadcasters - Jio and Disney Star, and other key stakeholders. The ideal venue should also be able to handle the significant logistical demands of such a high-profile event.
The initial plan was to hold the auction in London, but the BCCI decided against it due to concerns regarding the cold weather during the anticipated timeframe of the auction, the last week of November. The shift in location to Saudi Arabia, however, has brought forth a new obstacle - the high cost of hotels in the country, which has raised concerns among the franchise owners. Dubai, with its established infrastructure and experience hosting similar events, remains a viable alternative, but it seems the BCCI is determined to explore all possibilities before making a final decision.
The BCCI recently released the guidelines for the IPL 2025 player retention process. Franchises are allowed to retain a maximum of six players, with the Right-To-Match option also included. The retention fees have been set as follows: Rs 18 crore for the first priority, Rs 14 crore for the second priority, Rs 11 crore for the third priority, Rs 18 crore for the fourth priority, Rs 14 crore for the fifth priority, and Rs 4 crore for an uncapped player. This retention strategy will likely influence the dynamics of the auction and create a competitive landscape for players and franchises alike.
Source: BCCI Struggles To Find Venue For IPL 2025 Auction. Report Reveals Shocking Reason