Indian Premier League also know as IPL is one of the popular cricket league played globally. People wait every year for these games. IPL 18th edition is set to entertain cricket fans across India from March 22 to May 25, 2025. Featuring ten teams and 74 matches, and it’s already generating massive hype.
Viewership has been soaring: JioHotstar reported nearly 44.8 crore TV viewers in just the first 26 games of IPL 2024. In fact, media executives are aiming even higher for 2025 – JioHotstar aims to engage “a billion people” across their television and digital platforms.
With such excitement and numbers, every fan wants to know how to catch the games for free. One surprising answer is Star Utsav Movies, a Hindi movie channel that will air select IPL 2025 matches. This guide explains what Star Utsav Movies is, how it fits into the IPL broadcast, and how to watch IPL 2025 on this channel – along with the full match schedule and handy tips.
What is Star Utsav Movies?
Star Utsav Movies is a free-to-air (FTA) Hindi movie channel owned by Disney Star. It was originally launched on DD Free Dish in 2016 exclusively for rural Hindi-speaking audiences. The channel airs Bollywood films and movie premieres, similar to Zee Anmol Cinema or Sony Wah. Importantly, Star Utsav Movies was added back to DD Free Dish in late 2020 and will continue there in 2025–26.
Is IPL 2025 on Star Utsav Movies?
Yes – but only some games. JioHotstar has confirmed that for the first time since securing IPL TV rights, 12 IPL 2025 matches will be aired on Star Utsav Movies.. This is not all the games, but roughly 2–3 matches per week. The rest of the matches will be on Star Sports and JioHotstar app. Star Utsav Movies becomes a free alternative for watching select high-profile matches. According to JioHotstar, this move is aimed at giving unserved rural viewers a taste of premium IPL content – and analysts expect it to “give a big boost” to their rural viewership.
IPL 2025 Official Match Schedule
The complete IPL 2025 schedule is shown below. Matches are listed by date, time (IST), teams and venue. The tournament opens on March 22, 2025 and runs through the finals on May 25, 2025. (All times are local IST.) Note that 12 matches from this list will air on Star Utsav Movies free-to-air, while all matches will be on Star Sports/Hotstar via subscription or free digital streaming.
Date | Time | Home Team | Away Team | Venue |
22-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Kolkata Knight Riders | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
23-Mar-25 | 3:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Rajasthan Royals | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
23-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Chennai Super Kings | Mumbai Indians | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
24-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Delhi Capitals | Lucknow Super Giants | ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
25-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Gujarat Titans | Punjab Kings | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
26-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Rajasthan Royals | Kolkata Knight Riders | Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati |
27-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Lucknow Super Giants | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
28-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Chennai Super Kings | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
29-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Gujarat Titans | Mumbai Indians | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
30-Mar-25 | 3:30 PM | Delhi Capitals | Sunrisers Hyderabad | ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
30-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Rajasthan Royals | Chennai Super Kings | Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati |
31-Mar-25 | 7:30 PM | Mumbai Indians | Kolkata Knight Riders | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
01-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants | Punjab Kings | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
02-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Gujarat Titans | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
03-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Kolkata Knight Riders | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
04-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants | Mumbai Indians | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
05-Apr-25 | 3:30 PM | Chennai Super Kings | Delhi Capitals | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
05-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Punjab Kings | Rajasthan Royals | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Chandigarh |
06-Apr-25 | 3:30 PM | Kolkata Knight Riders | Lucknow Super Giants | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
06-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Gujarat Titans | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
07-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Mumbai Indians | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
08-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Punjab Kings | Chennai Super Kings | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Chandigarh |
10-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
11-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Chennai Super Kings | Kolkata Knight Riders | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
12-Apr-25 | 3:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants | Gujarat Titans | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
12-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Punjab Kings | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
13-Apr-25 | 3:30 PM | Rajasthan Royals | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
13-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Delhi Capitals | Mumbai Indians | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
14-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants | Chennai Super Kings | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
15-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Punjab Kings | Kolkata Knight Riders | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Chandigarh |
16-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Delhi Capitals | Rajasthan Royals | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
17-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Mumbai Indians | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
18-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Punjab Kings | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
19-Apr-25 | 3:30 PM | Gujarat Titans | Delhi Capitals | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
19-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Rajasthan Royals | Lucknow Super Giants | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
20-Apr-25 | 3:30 PM | Punjab Kings | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, Chandigarh |
20-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Mumbai Indians | Chennai Super Kings | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
21-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Kolkata Knight Riders | Gujarat Titans | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
22-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants | Delhi Capitals | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
23-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Mumbai Indians | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
24-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Rajasthan Royals | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
25-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Chennai Super Kings | Sunrisers Hyderabad | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
26-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Kolkata Knight Riders | Punjab Kings | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
27-Apr-25 | 3:30 PM | Mumbai Indians | Lucknow Super Giants | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
27-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Delhi Capitals | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
28-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Rajasthan Royals | Gujarat Titans | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
29-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Delhi Capitals | Kolkata Knight Riders | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
30-Apr-25 | 7:30 PM | Chennai Super Kings | Punjab Kings | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
01-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Rajasthan Royals | Mumbai Indians | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
02-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Gujarat Titans | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
03-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Chennai Super Kings | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
04-May-25 | 3:30 PM | Kolkata Knight Riders | Rajasthan Royals | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
04-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Punjab Kings | Lucknow Super Giants | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala |
05-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Delhi Capitals | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
06-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Mumbai Indians | Gujarat Titans | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
07-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Kolkata Knight Riders | Chennai Super Kings | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
08-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Punjab Kings | Delhi Capitals | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala |
09-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
10-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata Knight Riders | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
11-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Delhi Capitals | Gujarat Titans | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
12-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Chennai Super Kings | Rajasthan Royals | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
13-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Sunrisers Hyderabad | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
14-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Gujarat Titans | Lucknow Super Giants | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
15-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
16-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Rajasthan Royals | Punjab Kings | Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur |
17-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Kolkata Knight Riders | M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
18-May-25 | 3:30 PM | Gujarat Titans | Chennai Super Kings | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
18-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Lucknow Super Giants | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow |
20-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Qualifier 1 | (Top 2 teams) | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
21-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Eliminator | (3rd vs 4th in standings) | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Hyderabad |
23-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Qualifier 2 | (Qualifier 1 Loser vs Eliminator Winner) | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
25-May-25 | 7:30 PM | Final | (Winners of Qual 1 and Qual 2) | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
Table: IPL 2025 Group stage and playoff schedule (official dates, times, teams, venues). The 12 free-to-air games on Star Utsav Movies will be drawn from this lineup.
How to Watch IPL on Star Utsav Movies?
To catch the free-to-air matches on Star Utsav Movies, viewers need only a TV or set-top box that carries the Star Utsav channel. On DD Free Dish, Star Utsav Movies is (as of 2025) on channel 55. Many cable and DTH providers also carry Star Utsav as a paid channel on standard Hindi movie packages. Here’s what you should do:
- Tune your set-top box or TV to Star Utsav Movies. On DD Free Dish it’s Ch.55; on DTH (Tata Sky, Airtel Digital TV, DishTV, etc.) or cable, search for “Star Utsav” in the guide.
- Retune or update your channel list if needed. (Star Utsav was re-added to Free Dish in 2020, so older boxes may need a new scan or firmware update.)
- Watch live on match days. The matches will air at the scheduled times above. Since Star Utsav is FTA, you pay no subscription or data fees for these games.
- Use a hybrid box or mobile app (optional). If you have a Free Dish receiver that supports Android apps, you can download the JioCinema app and stream any FTA IPL broadcast (including Star Utsav games) through it. This is handy if you prefer mobile or if your TV lacks audio.
In summary, just set your TV to the Star Utsav Movies channel on match days. No cable or paid subscription is needed to watch these 12 free games – it’s as simple as flipping to Star Utsav.
Benefits of Watching IPL on Star Utsav Movies
It gives advantage to the channel and the viewers as well:
- Free access: They can watch these IPL games for free, without even paying for the channel. as Star Utsav is a free to air channel.
- Expanded reach: Millions of rural and price-conscious viewers who couldn’t afford Star Sports will now see marquee games. Star Sports itself noted this move targets “an unserved audience cohort” of FTA viewers.
- Hindi commentary: Star Utsav Movies broadcasts in Hindi, which appeals to many regional fans. (By contrast, Star Sports often has regional feeds, but Star Utsav’s presence on Free Dish means one uniform Hindi feed nationwide.)
- Promotional boost: For new cricket viewers, a free Star Utsav broadcast can spark interest. Star’s strategy is that FTA fans who enjoy these matches “will transition to Pay TV”, boosting future subscribers. Essentially, giving fans a taste of premium IPL may grow the overall audience.
- Star brand visibility: Broadcasters hope free matches will strengthen the Star network’s presence. As trade reports note, airing IPL on Star Utsav will “give a big boost to viewership in the rural market”, benefiting advertisers and future sports programming.
In short, watching on Star Utsav lets you enjoy IPL without extra cost, while broadcasters use it as a marketing tool. According to Star’s own figures, India’s free-to-air base is huge – on the order of 168 million connections – so this is a massive opportunity to engage viewers.
Impact on Regional Viewership
Star Utsav’s FTA broadcasts will significantly impact regional viewership. Many smaller towns and villages lack cable/satellite access; Free Dish is often their only TV. By putting IPL games on Star Utsav Movies, those rural and Hindi-speaking areas can tune in live. Analysts expect this to boost rural ratings and bring IPL into pockets of the country that were previously shut out. For example, from the Hills of Himachal to the plains of Bihar, Star Utsav Movies is widely available via Free Dish. This means cricket fans who rely on FTA TV will get a share of the action.
Additionally, Star Sports channels offer regional feeds (in Tamil, Telugu, etc.), but Star Utsav is strictly Hindi. This focuses viewership in Hindi/Urdu-speaking regions. In effect, Star Utsav’s broadcasts will amplify existing local interest in IPL. It also levels the playing field: if your neighbor watches RCB on TV and you have no cable, you can now watch CSK on Star Utsav for free.
Overall, local languages and markets benefit. Disney Star’s plan explicitly aims to bring “top-quality content” to “an unserved audience”. By doing so, it’s likely to raise the aggregate viewership numbers, especially outside major metros.
Alternative Platforms to Follow IPL 2025
Apart from Star Utsav Movies which only offers few games, there are several ways to watch IPL 2025 season:
- Star Sports (TV): Owned by the Jio, If you want to watch these games on TV, you can switch to Star Sports network channels like Star Sports 1, 1 Hindi, 2, 3, etc.), often with multiple language commentaries. If you have a cable or DTH subscription, tune to Star Sports for full coverage.
- JioHotstar (Streaming): JioHotstar is the official digital streaming partner. It will livestream every IPL match with multiple regional language commentary options for everyone. For Jio subscribers, streaming may be free with certain plans. Non-Jio users can get JioHotstar Premium subscriptions to watch on mobile, tablet or web.
- Other Internet Apps: Various sports apps (like ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz, etc.) and social media will carry scorecards and highlights. These are not live video, but good for updates.
In summary, you can watch all games on Star Sports (TV) or JioHotstar (streaming), and supplement with Indibet website for scores/odds if desired. But for free live video, Star Utsav Movies is the key new option.
Tips for Staying Updated with the Star Utsav Movies IPL Schedule
To never miss a Star Utsav broadcast, follow these tips:
- Check Official IPL Sources: The IPL’s official website (iplt20.com), They often note which matches are free-to-air.
- Use DD Free Dish Resources: Websites like schedule. provide updated EPG listings. In fact, schedule. explicitly tracks which IPL games air on Star Utsav. You can visit that or similar forums for Star Utsav schedules.
- Follow News Portals: Sports news websites (like ESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz) and newspapers often list TV schedules on match days. Follow them for last-minute changes.
- Mobile Notifications: If you use streaming apps (JioHotstar) or even Indibet, enable match alerts. Some mobile apps let you follow teams and will buzz you when a game is about to start.
- Social Media and SMS Alerts: You might get schedule updates via Twitter handles or by signing up for SMS alerts from broadcasters. Official accounts (e.g. @IPL on Twitter) post reminders in English and Hindi.
By combining these methods, fans can stay on top of the latest Star Utsav Movies schedule and ensure they’re tuned in when games start. Remember, the free matches aren’t all games, so double-check the listings. Using an Indibet app download can also help, as some bettors apps have live scores and timeline notifications.
What to do now?
IPL 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark season in all the aspects of the game from on the field to the way of watching the game. For the first time, Star Utsav Movies will bring live IPL matches into homes via DD Free Dish, making select games accessible to millions of new viewers. In this guide we covered the big picture: the schedule of matches, how Star Utsav fits into the broadcast lineup, and where else you can watch (or get live info) on the IPL. Remember the key points:
- Star Utsav Movies – a Hindi movie channel – will air 12 games free-to-air.
- Full IPL Schedule: 74 matches from March 22 to May 25.
- Watching: Tune to Star Utsav on DD Free Dish (Ch.55) or on your cable/DTH plan. No extra fees for those 12 matches.
- Alternatives: All games are also on Star Sports (TV) and JioHotstar (streaming). Indibet.in and its app offer live scores/odds as an optional companion.
- Staying Updated: Use official sites, and news sources for schedule info. (You can even download the Indibet app to get match alerts if you like.)
Whether you’re in a city or a village, there’s now an even better chance you’ll catch the IPL excitement live. Be sure to check the official schedule, set your reminders, and enjoy the tournament – Indian cricket is on your TV this season on Star Utsav Movies and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will all IPL 2025 matches be on Star Utsav Movies?
No. Disney Star has announced that 12 selected matches will be telecast free-to-air on Star Utsav Movies. The remaining games will be on the Star Sports channels and JioHotstar. Expect around 2–3 Star Utsav games each week.
How many IPL 2025 games can I watch on Star Utsav Movies?
A total of 12 matches will be shown on Star Utsav Movies during IPL 2025. These are spread out through the season. (In 2023, Star Sports also aired 12 games free on Star Utsav, and a similar count is expected for 2025.)
How do I tune in to watch IPL on Star Utsav Movies?
Simply set your TV or set-top box to the Star Utsav Movies channel. On DD Free Dish it appears at channel 55. If you have cable or other DTH, search for “Star Utsav” in your channel lineup. You do not need a sports subscription for these games – Star Utsav is a free-to-air channel.
Can I watch IPL 2025 online if I miss the Star Utsav broadcast?
Yes. All IPL 2025 matches can be streamed live online via JioHotstar. If you have a compatible device (Android/iOS/PC) and a plan.
What is Indibet and how is it related to IPL?
Indibet Website is a sports betting platform that offers live odds, fantasy leagues, and score updates. It does not broadcast the games. You can visit indibet or download the Indibet app to follow live scores and cricket markets during IPL 2025. Many fans use such apps to get ball-by-ball updates and special promotions, but remember to use legal, licensed channels for the actual match footage.
Will Star Utsav Movies air IPL matches in languages other than Hindi?
No. Star Utsav Movies broadcasts in Hindi only. The special free IPL telecasts on Star Utsav will have Hindi commentary.
Are any IPL matches on DD Sports or other free channels?
The main free-to-air strategy for 2025 is via Star Utsav Movies. There has been talk that DD Sports might air some games (as it’s a public sports channel), but as of now no official confirmation has been given. For guaranteed free matches, rely on Star Utsav’s announced 12 games.