Fri Mar 21 11:00:00 UTC 2025: ## IPL 2023 to Feature Star-Studded Opening Ceremonies Across All Venues

**Mumbai, India –** The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its 18th season with an unprecedented level of fanfare. The tournament, kicking off on March 22nd in Kolkata with a match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, will feature elaborate opening ceremonies at *all* 13 venues hosting matches, a significant departure from previous seasons.

The Kolkata opener will see performances by Bollywood actress Disha Patani and singer Shreya Ghosal, with ICC chairman Jay Shah in attendance. However, this is just the beginning. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plans to deploy a roster of Bollywood A-listers for opening ceremonies across the country. Confirmed and rumored performers include Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan, Katrina Kaif, Triptii Dimri, Ananya Panday, Madhuri Dixit, and Janhvi Kapoor, among others.

A source told Sportstar that the BCCI aims for a diverse lineup of artists, with two to three performers per event given the limited time between innings. While this ambitious undertaking presents logistical challenges, the BCCI and state associations are collaborating to ensure smooth execution without disrupting matches.

This season also marks an expansion of venues. Matches will be played not only at the traditional home grounds of the ten franchises, but also at secondary venues, including Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Dharamshala, and Mullanpur, which will host matches for Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Punjab Kings respectively. The 18th season promises to be the most spectacular yet, combining top-tier cricket with a dazzling display of Bollywood talent.

Read More