IPL Expansion: BCCI Plans Massive 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 league on the global stage. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not content with the status quo. Recent reports suggest that the governing body is gearing up for a significant structural shift beginning in the 2028 season, aimed at enhancing both the competitive balance and the commercial scale of the tournament.
Restoring the Home-and-Away Tradition
IPL chairman Arun Dhumal recently shed light on the vision for the future, noting that the board is actively exploring the return of a comprehensive home-and-away format for all participating franchises. Under the proposed model, each team would host nine matches and play nine away, effectively doing away with the current group-based structure. If realized, this change would increase the total number of matches per season from the current 74 to a staggering 94.
This shift aims to rectify long-standing complaints from fans and experts regarding the current 10-team setup introduced in 2022. Since the expansion to 10 teams, the league has been divided into two groups, meaning that teams do not face every opponent with the same frequency. This has often led to debates about the fairness of schedules, where some franchises appear to have a more favorable path to the playoffs than others. A return to a full home-and-away system would ensure every team plays one another equally, creating a more balanced and transparent competition.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
Despite the push for more matches, the BCCI has clarified its stance on team expansion. At this stage, there are no immediate plans to increase the number of franchises. Instead, the focus is firmly on maximizing the potential of the existing 10-team roster.
“With the given set of teams, we can go for a greater number of matches,” Dhumal explained in recent discussions. “It doesn’t make sense as of now to increase the number of teams. If we have to have an equal number of home and away matches, increasing from 74 to 94 would be the ideal situation.”
While the prospect of a 94-match IPL is undoubtedly exciting for fans, franchises, and broadcasters alike, the transition is not without its hurdles. The primary obstacle remains the crowded international cricket calendar. The current bilateral schedule is locked until 2027, creating a restricted window for the IPL to operate annually.
For the BCCI to successfully host a 94-match season, it will require a significantly larger window within the Future Tours Programme (FTP) post-2027. Expanding the tournament will demand high-level negotiations with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other member boards to ensure that international commitments do not clash with the extended IPL window.
“Since the bilaterals are locked in until 2027, we would need a bigger window to raise the number of games from 74 to 94,” Dhumal noted. “We are looking for a bigger window post-2027. If we can secure that, we will definitely strive to implement the 94-game format.”
Why the Shift Matters
The potential expansion carries significant implications for the ecosystem of Indian cricket. For the fans, it means more high-profile clashes throughout the season and the opportunity to see their favorite teams play more often at local venues. For the franchises, the increase in home games translates directly into higher ticket revenue, greater sponsorship potential, and deeper fan engagement.
Ultimately, the move toward 94 matches reflects the BCCI’s ambition to keep the IPL at the forefront of the sports entertainment world. By prioritizing a more equitable structure and embracing the demand for more high-quality cricket, the board is looking to ensure that the tournament remains the most lucrative and watched event in the sporting calendar for years to come. Whether this becomes a reality will depend on the delicate balancing act of international scheduling, but the intent from the BCCI is clear: the IPL is set to get much bigger.
