IPL Expansion: BCCI Planning 94-Match Season from 2028
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A New Era for the Indian Premier League
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has long established itself as the premier franchise T20 tournament on the global stage. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not resting on these laurels. Recent reports indicate that the governing body is actively formulating a strategy to scale the league to unprecedented heights, with a major structural overhaul potentially arriving in the 2028 season.
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal recently shed light on the vision for the future, emphasizing a desire to move back to a complete home-and-away format for all competing franchises. Currently, the league consists of 74 matches, but this ambitious plan could see the tournament expand to a 94-match schedule.
Understanding the Proposed Shift
For long-time followers of the league, the current format—which involves 10 teams divided into two groups—has been a point of debate. Since the introduction of the Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans in 2022, teams have not faced every opponent with equal frequency. This discrepancy has led to concerns regarding the fairness of the schedule, as some teams may arguably face a more favorable path to the playoffs than others.
Under the proposed 94-match model, the scenario changes significantly. Each franchise would host nine matches and play nine away, effectively ensuring that every team plays each other twice. This change would not only restore the classic home-and-away dynamic that defined the early years of the tournament when it featured eight teams, but it would also provide a more balanced competitive environment for all participants.
Focusing on Quality Over Quantity
Interestingly, the BCCI is currently prioritizing the expansion of the schedule over the expansion of the league itself. There are no immediate plans to introduce additional franchises. As Arun Dhumal noted, increasing the number of teams does not currently align with the board’s strategic goals. Instead, the focus is squarely on maximizing the potential of the existing 10-team structure.
“With the given set of teams, we can go for a higher number of matches,” Dhumal explained. “It does not make sense as of now to increase the number of teams. If we move toward an equal number of home and away games, we can grow from 74 to 94 matches. That would be the ideal scenario for the growth of the league.”
The Benefits of a Longer Season
A 94-match IPL season presents several advantages. For the fans, it means more high-profile clashes and a deeper connection to their local franchises, as every team would play more matches at their home stadium. From a commercial standpoint, the boost is equally significant. Increased ticket sales, enhanced sponsorship opportunities, and a deeper engagement with the local fan base provide a compelling financial incentive for franchises to support this transition.
While the vision is clear, implementation is subject to the complexities of the global cricket calendar. The international bilateral schedule is currently locked in until 2027, which restricts the window available for the IPL to take place each year. Expanding the tournament to 94 matches requires a longer duration, necessitating a larger slot in the future international cricket calendar.
Dhumal acknowledged this challenge, noting, “Since the bilaterals are locked in until 2027, we would need a bigger window to increase the number of games from 74 to 94. We are looking for an expanded window post-2027. If we can secure that time, we will certainly aim to deliver 94 games.”
As the cricketing world moves toward 2028, the focus will undoubtedly remain on whether the BCCI can successfully negotiate the necessary space in the international schedule. If successful, the move promises to solidify the IPL’s status as the most dominant and lucrative domestic competition in the world of sports, offering fans a more robust and equitable cricketing experience.
