In a pioneering step combining cricket and cinema, PVR INOX has partnered with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on a strategic agreement to screen live IPL 2025 matches across its multiplex chain nationwide.
The announcement, made just ahead of the IPL season opener on March 22 between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, marks a significant evolution in the fan-viewing experience – bringing stadium-like energy to cinema halls equipped with massive screens, surround sound, and stadium seating.
“We are thrilled to unite India’s two biggest passions — cinema and cricket — in one seamless experience,” said Gautam Dutta, Co-CEO of PVR INOX. “With live screenings of IPL matches, fans can enjoy the game on a giant screen with their favourite snacks, cheering along with fellow supporters in a fully immersive environment.”
Live Cricket in Cinemas: A Growing Trend
Although some individual cinema chains have tested live sports screening in the past, this is the first time a full and national rollout has been planned for a high-profile sporting event like the IPL.
According to company officials, the decision to collaborate with BCCI followed “overwhelming response” from previous live match screenings, which saw thousands of fans flocking to cinemas.
This partnership is likely to generate footfalls in the months of the IPL season, especially on weekends, when matches will be broadcast in dozens of cities. PVR INOX assured it will open key matches in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and many more.
IPL 2025: Theatres Turn into Stadiums
More than 50 cities will be part of this initiative. In Maharashtra, live broadcasts will be available in Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad, and Kolhapur, while Gujarat will see coverage in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Rajkot. Southern metros like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram are also on the list. Even smaller towns such as Latur, Jamnagar, and Vishakhapatnam will join the cricket-cinema revolution.
By transforming multiplexes into fan zones, the BCCI-PVR INOX collaboration aims to broaden the appeal of the IPL and create a fresh avenue for communal sports viewing — a shift from solitary, in-home TV experiences to vibrant, theatrical cricket fandom.
A New Business Model for Sports Entertainment?
Experts say this hybrid model – blending the experience of a cricket match with the facilities of contemporary cinemas can be a benchmark for live sport consumption in the digital age. With OTT and cable television ruling living rooms, this attempt is trying to restore the collective excitement of sharing sports experiences together.
The IPL 2025 schedule starts with high-voltage clashes, including the double-header on March 23 featuring Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians – all of which will be screened in theatres.
PVR INOX and the BCCI’s ambitious project could potentially revolutionize not only the entertainment sector but also the Indian sports viewing culture as cricket fever resurfaces across the country.
Also Read: The Cost and Revenue Game: Inside the Business of an IPL Franchise
