Abady Al Johar Arena - The venue of IPL 2025 Mega Auction

NEW DELHI: The highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Mega Auction will take place on November 24 and 25, 2024, at the Abady Al Johar Arena (also known as Benchmark Arena) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This marks the second consecutive year the IPL player auction is being held outside India, following last year’s event in Dubai.
The Abady Al Johar Arena is a state-of-the-art venue and this modern facility has become a prominent landmark for hosting large-scale international events and exemplifies Saudi Arabia's ambition to position itself as a hub for global sports and cultural activities.

Although relatively new, the Abady Al Johar Arena has already gained attention for hosting high-profile events, like performances by Tamer Ashour, an Egyptian singer and composer.
IPL 2025 Auction

The Abadi Al Johar Theatre has a seating capacity of 15,000. The 14,000 square meter entertainment venue is located near major roads.
This move is part of a strategic partnership between the IPL, a globally lucrative cricket tournament, and Saudi Arabia, which has been leveraging sports to enhance its global image and foster domestic interest in diverse sporting events.
Hosting the auction in Jeddah is also seen as a gesture toward the kingdom's millions of South Asian migrant workers, who form a significant fanbase for cricket in the region.

Player Highlights and Auction Stakes
A total of 574 players will go under the hammer during the two-day auction, with 1,574 cricketers initially registering for selection. The final list comprises 366 Indian players and 208 overseas players, including three from associate nations.
The auction is also expected to break previous records, with the tournament’s salary cap seeing a steady rise. Last year, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc shattered records by signing with the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 24.75 crore, a figure likely to be surpassed this time.
The IPL auction provides franchises an opportunity to rebuild their squads. With 204 team slots available, including 70 for overseas players, the event promises fierce bidding wars, setting the stage for the 2025 IPL season.

Strategic Move to Saudi Arabia
This is the first cricket event of such magnitude hosted by Saudi Arabia, a nation aiming to diversify its sporting landscape. While Dubai has been a regular host for international cricket due to its strong infrastructure and South Asian population, Saudi Arabia’s inclusion signifies its growing role in international sports.
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