BCCI considering to expand IPL season

The board is planning on a 94-match season from 2028

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively exploring the possibility of expanding the Indian Premier League (IPL) to a 94-match season starting in 2028. However, there are currently no plans to add new franchises to the league, despite interest from investors.

The IPL, which grew to its current 74-match format in 2022 with the inclusion of Gujarat Titans (GT) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), was initially expected to expand to 84 matches by 2025. However, due to a tight schedule and concerns from broadcasters over the number of double-headers, the expansion was postponed.

The league's current window in the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) is fixed from mid-March to the end of May for the next two years. Speaking to a cricketing website, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said that the BCCI will seriously consider switching to a full home-and-away 94-match format when the next media rights cycle begins in 2028.

"Definitely, that might be an opportunity," Dhumal said.

"We've been discussing in ICC, we've been discussing in-house in BCCI. Given how the interest of the fan is changing with regard to bilateral and ICC events, in regard to franchise cricket and T20 cricket, we'll have to talk more seriously about it and see how we can create maximum value for the stakeholders of the game," he added.

"Ideally, we'd want a larger window, or to maybe go on from 74 to 84 or 94 at some point… So that every team gets to play against every team home and away, for that, you need 94 games," he further added.

"Given the window and the kind of commitments that we have with regards to bilateral cricket and ICC events, that may not be possible in the short term. But given the landscape, how it is changing and evolving over the years, maybe at some point in time we would look and take that option," he explained.

"There's been so much cricket: we came back from Australia from a Test series, we had this Champions Trophy, and on top of that we have this IPL. That is why it was decided that it doesn't make sense from going from 74 to 84 [in 2025], but whenever we think that the time is opportune, we'll take that call," Dhumal further said.

The length of the IPL season will be a key discussion point during next year's FTP negotiations. Some franchise officials have already expressed support for a 94-match season. However, the final decision is likely to depend on broadcaster interest, especially after the recent merger between Reliance and Disney to form JioStar in India.

Broadcasters have previously raised concerns about viewer fatigue, as TV and streaming numbers tend to dip midway through the IPL season. The 2025 edition is scheduled to run for nine weeks with 12 double-headers. Expanding to 94 matches would likely require adding two more weeks to the tournament's window.

Despite investor interest, the BCCI has no immediate plans to increase the number of teams.

"Ten is a good number for now," Dhumal said.

"Paramount is the interest in the tournament and the quality of cricket that we play… I don't see any scope in the short term. Going forward, with how this whole landscape evolves, we'll take a call accordingly," he added.

Dhumal described the 2025 IPL season as a success, praising the level of competition and the emergence of new Indian talent. He also expressed hope that a first-time champion could lift the trophy this year, with teams like Delhi Capitals (DC), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) all currently in playoff contention.

"Every year, it's been growing," Dhumal said.

"We are very glad how the fans have loved this tournament, and the broadcast numbers and in-stadia numbers are all phenomenal. We are hoping to carry on with this being a special edition, the 18th edition. We are very sure that it'll continue to grow in the way we've seen over the last 17 years," he further added.

"Definitely, I would want somebody who has never won the tournament to lift the trophy this year. DC has done exceptionally well over the last few years, but they've not won. Punjab Kings made it to one final, and RCB, off and on, have done well. If some of these teams compete against each other in the final, we'll know for sure that we will have a new winner, then I'll be very happy for the tournament," he concluded.