Sun Oct 06 13:04:51 UTC 2024: ## BCCI Faces Venue Headache for IPL 2025 Auction in Saudi Arabia
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a major challenge in finding a suitable venue for the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the frontrunner. While Riyadh and Jeddah are being considered, finding a location that can accommodate the large entourage and meet the budget concerns of franchise owners has proven difficult.
The BCCI initially considered London but opted against it due to cold weather. Dubai, the venue for the 2024 auction, remains a possibility but is not the preferred choice.
The primary hurdle is the high cost of hotels in Saudi Arabia, which is significantly higher than Dubai. The BCCI is seeking a venue that can host the two-day event and accommodate the 10 franchise delegations, two broadcasters (Jio and Disney Star), and their respective entourages.
The auction is expected to take place in the last week of November. The BCCI has recently released guidelines for the auction, allowing franchises to retain up to six players with the Right-To-Match option. The retention fees range from Rs 18 crore for the first priority to Rs 4 crore for an uncapped player.
The BCCI is currently working to finalize the auction venue and ensure a smooth and successful event.
First Piper 