IPL to Scale New Heights with 94-Match Season by 2028, Says BCCI

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is poised for a game-changing expansion, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) targeting a 94-match season starting in 2028. However, fans eager for new franchises will need to hold off, as the BCCI has no immediate plans to grow beyond its current 10-team setup.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal outlined the board’s vision for a full home-and-away format, which would increase the tournament’s matches from 74 to 94. Plans for an 84-match season in 2025 were shelved due to a tight schedule and broadcaster pushback against extra double-headers, but Dhumal is optimistic about 2028. “We’re discussing how franchise cricket is evolving,” he said. “A 94-game season ensures every team plays each other twice, and we’ll seriously consider it for the next media rights cycle.”

The IPL’s mid-March to May window, fixed until 2027, will be a focal point in next year’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) talks. Franchise officials back the expansion, but broadcasters, now under the Reliance-Disney JioStar banner, will play a key role. With viewer fatigue a concern – mid-season ratings often dip – the 2025 season’s nine-week stretch with 12 double-headers is a proving ground. Adding two more weeks for a 94-match season could strain the global cricket calendar, already packed with Tests and ICC events.

New franchises aren’t on the horizon, despite investor buzz. “Ten teams strike the right balance for quality and competition,” Dhumal said. “We’ll reassess as the cricket landscape evolves, but for now, we’re focused on the tournament’s integrity.” This measured approach underscores the BCCI’s commitment to keeping the IPL’s standards sky-high.

Dhumal called IPL 2025 a roaring success, spotlighting fierce team rivalries and breakout performances from young Indian stars. With Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants vying for playoffs, he’s rooting for a first-time winner. “A new champion would make this 18th edition unforgettable,” he said. “Teams like RCB or DC have come close before – it’d be thrilling to see them go all the way.”

With record-breaking broadcast numbers and packed stadiums, the IPL’s popularity shows no signs of slowing. As the BCCI plots a bigger, bolder future, the 2025 season is set to deliver high-octane cricket and, hopefully, a fresh name on the trophy.

                                               

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