IPL Expansion to 94 Matches Considered for 2028, No New Franchises Planned
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating a significant expansion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to a 94-match format, potentially starting from the 2028 season, coinciding with the next media rights cycle. While the league is exploring this substantial increase in matches, the BCCI has confirmed that there are no plans to add new franchises to the existing ten teams. This potential expansion signifies a shift from the current 74-match format, implemented in 2022 after the addition of the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. Earlier proposals to increase the number of matches to 84 by 2025 have been shelved due to scheduling conflicts and concerns from broadcasters regarding viewer fatigue and the proliferation of double-headers.
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed in an interview with ESPNcricinfo that discussions are ongoing within the BCCI and with the International Cricket Council (ICC) about a full home-and-away format. This format would necessitate a 94-match season, enabling each team to play every other team twice, once at home and once away. Dhumal stated, “Ideally, we’d want a larger window… So that every team gets to play against every team home and away. Given the commitments to bilateral cricket and ICC events, it may not be possible in the short term. But we’ll look into it when the timing is right.” The current IPL window, from mid-March to the end of May, is fixed within the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the next two years. Extending the IPL season would require adjustments to the FTP, a topic that will be addressed in next year’s FTP negotiations.
While franchise owners have expressed support for the 94-match format, its implementation depends heavily on broadcaster approval. Current viewership trends show a dip in mid-season, which broadcasters attribute to viewer fatigue. The 2025 IPL season is planned for nine weeks with 12 double-headers, and any further expansion would likely require an additional two weeks, potentially exacerbating this issue. Despite increasing investor interest in the IPL, Dhumal ruled out the addition of new franchises in the near future, stating that “ten is a good number for now,” emphasizing the BCCI’s focus on maintaining the tournament’s high quality.
Reflecting on the 2025 season, Dhumal praised the competitive landscape and the rise of young Indian players. He expressed his desire to see a new champion emerge this year, highlighting the Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants—teams that have yet to win the IPL title—as potential contenders for the playoffs. “Definitely, I would want somebody who has never won the tournament to lift the trophy this year,” he added. “If some of these teams compete in the final, we’ll know for sure we’ll have a new winner — that would be very special.”
As the IPL continues its trajectory of growth in fan engagement and broadcasting reach, the league’s long-term strategy appears to prioritize sustainable expansion, maintaining a high level of competition, and maximizing stakeholder value.
