Do you want to watch IPL 2025 for free? Well, after the Hotstar & JioCinema merger, watching IPL is not free anymore, you have to buy the subscription after a free trial period. However, there are few ways to watch IPL for almost free.
IPL is easily one of the biggest cricket leagues in India. With phenomenal talent from home and abroad, watching this T20 format cricket league is always thrilling.
The tournament will start on March 22, 2025, with the opening match between Mumbai Indians(MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru(RCB). Star Sports Network owns the broadcasting rights for IPL, so if you want to stream the matches, you need a JioHotstar subscription or Star Sports TV channel. But, many of the readers want to watch IPL 2025 for free.
Well, we have solutions for that too. If you are a big cricket fan and want to watch IPL 2025 for free, this guide is for you!
Watch IPL 2025 for Free
In this guide, we will not promote any unethical ways to stream IPL 2025, as they are illegal and not quite right. However, we have found some clever workarounds and hacks that will allow you to watch IPL 2025 for free or at a very minimal price.
JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar Merger Hack for Jio SIM Users
Just recently, JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar have merged to form JioHotstar. Earlier users had to subscribe to Disney+ Hotstar to watch IPL but now the platform is called JioHotstar. You can get a free(essentially) subscription to the platform with 4K resolution streaming if you have a Jio SIM card.
As of now, Jio is offering multiple recharge packs that come with a JioHotstar subscription. Here are the two best packs for Jio SIM card users to get a JioHotstar subscription:
| Pack Cost(INR) | Validity | Data |
| 100 | 90 Days | 5GB data |
| 949 | 84 Days | 2GB data per day |
This is one of the best ways to watch IPL 2025 for free for Jio users. If you consider the JioHotstar subscription, even the basic mobile-only pack costs INR 149 for three months. With the INR 100 recharge on a Jio SIM, not only do you get 5GB of data but also up to 4K streaming access to JioHotstar on any device. So the INR 100 recharge is better for Jio SIM users.
So if you are a Jio SIM user, make sure to get the recharge right away so that you don’t miss out on any action.
Tata Play Subscription to watch IPL for free
If you have a Tata Play subscription, you can stream IPL 2025 on your smartphone using the Tata Play app (Android | iOS). All you have to do is simply unlock any of the Star Sports network channels to watch IPL 2025 using the Tata Play App and then enjoy watching.
In some cases, you might not be able to watch IPL 2025 on your mobile phone using the Tata Play app. However, you can unlock the channel using the app seamlessly and then watch it on TV.
Highlights
Unfortunately, these are the only clever hacks by which you can essentially watch IPL 2025 for free or at a very low cost. Other than that, you have no choice but to get a subscription to JioHotstar.
However, if you are just an enthusiast who likes to follow IPL and wants to know what happened, you can always watch the highlights afterwards. The highlights can be streamed for free using the JioHotstar app or YouTube.
They provide a good detail of what happened in the match. Since IPL is T20 format, you don’t really miss out much by watching the highlights.
More Options
In certain regions, alternative streaming platforms might offer free access to IPL matches. For example, in Pakistan, cricket fans can watch the IPL 2025 for free via Tapmad. However, availability and access may vary based on your location and local broadcasting rights.
Important Considerations
- Data Consumption: Streaming live sports can consume significant data. Ensure you have a suitable data plan to avoid unexpected charges.
- Streaming Quality: The quality of the stream may depend on your internet connection. A stable and high-speed connection will enhance your viewing experience.
- Regional Restrictions: Some streaming services may have regional restrictions. Using a VPN might help bypass these, but ensure it’s legal and complies with the service’s terms of use in your country.
JioHotstar Subscription
If you are an avid IPL fan then maybe getting a JioHotstar subscription might not be so bad after all. Ever since the merger of Disney+ Hotstar with JioCinema, the pack for the new JioHotstar platform has become more affordable.
The basic mobile streaming subscription will cost you INR 149 for three months and then there is the Super plan and Premium plan that costs INR 299 and 499 for three months, respectively.
The thing is that it is not just about IPL. With a JioHotstar subscription, you will get access to the entire content library of both Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema. That means access to great shows like Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Grey’s Anatomy, and more. The bottom line is, if you can afford the subscription, it will be totally worth it.
Wrapping Up
Watching IPL 2025 for free is possible with some clever workarounds, especially if you are a Jio SIM user or have a Tata Play subscription. The JioHotstar merger offers Jio customers affordable ways to access live IPL matches in high quality.
Additionally, highlights are always available for free on YouTube and JioHotstar for those who just want to keep up with the action. While there are limited options for completely free streaming, the affordable JioHotstar subscription plans provide great value, not just for IPL but also for a vast library of entertainment content.
So, choose the option that works best for you and enjoy the cricketing spectacle!
FAQs
A: If you don’t have a Jio SIM, watching IPL 2025 for free is difficult. You will have to buy a new Jio SIM then.
A: Yes! If you recharge your Jio number with the INR 100 or INR 949 plan, you get free access to JioHotstar with up to 4K streaming.
AL Yes, IPL 2025 highlights will be available for free on JioHotstar and YouTube. If you miss a match, you can catch up by watching the highlights.
A: No, IPL 2025 will not be streamed live on YouTube. However, match highlights will be uploaded to official cricket channels after each game.
A: The cheapest legal way to watch IPL 2025 is by getting the INR 100 Jio recharge, which includes JioHotstar access, or subscribing to the basic JioHotstar mobile plan for INR 149 per three months.
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