After contentious negotiations, it was announced this week that South Africa will be the host nation for the 2009 IPL. The season will feature 59 matches between eight franchises played on a 34 day schedule.
Cape Town will be the site of the opening ceremonies on Saturday, April 18th. This will be followed by the opening match between the 2008 champion Rajasthan Royals and the Royal Challengers. A second match will feature the Mumbai Indians playing the Chennai Super Kings. The events will be held at the Newlands. The crowds expected for the opening day will likely make it difficult to find rooms in any Cape Town luxury hotel.
While South Africa was the favorite to host this second season of the IPL, England was also in the running. Concerns over the weather in England as well as the costs of travel to England as well as conflicts over television rights made South Africa the top choice.
Security will be a priority in organizing the five-week event. Difficulty ensuring player safety was what forced officials to move the tournament from India. Other logistical concerns will be at the forefront, given there is less than a month to pull together this event which will involved 400 players and officials as well as thousands of spectators.
In addition to Cape Town, matches will be held in Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, and Pretoria. The second semi-final and final match will be held in Johannesburg on May 23-24 as well at the official closing ceremony.
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