The BCCI is planning for a massive switch in the IPL as they look to expand the IPL to a longer, 94-match IPL schedule from 2028 while retaining the same number of teams.
The IPL is already one of the most prestigious and financially lucrative leagues in the world. With its large-scale structure, it also has a massive two-month window, which makes it the longest-running T20 league in the world.
Due to IPL’s massive turnout and its grand platform even for international cricketers, the ICC also allows the halt of international cricket for the tenure of the IPL, as clashing with the international schedule can severely affect player availability and viewership.
Massive expansion plan set for IPL from 2028; Arun Dhumal announces big decision
Despite its large structure and massive 10-franchise points table, the BCCI has proposed an expansion in the number of matches in a season in the IPL. Ahead of the next media rights cycle, the BCCI is planning to switch to a 94-match season IPL.
The move has reportedly been planned to eliminate the current virtual grouping system and would be traditionally in favour of a double-legged round-robin format. Speaking of the same, the IPL chairman, Arun Dhumal, stated that the volume of cricket will increase while the number of franchises will remain capped.
“With the given set of teams, only we can go for a larger number of matches,” Dhumal said, reiterating the point he made last year. Every team playing each team twice would naturally expand it from its 74-match structure to a bigger 94-match structure.
“So it doesn’t make sense as of now to increase the number of teams. Because if we have to have an equal number of home and away matches, from 74 we can go up to 94. That would be the ideal situation.”
What stands between BCCI and IPL expansion in 2027? – Arun Dhumal responds
Now, the IPL is a franchise tournament under the BCCI, and it has to be planned amid the schedule of bilaterals and international tournaments. Hence, the primary hurdle for an immediate expansion remains in the ICC’s future tour program.
As is known to all, the bilateral calendar has been locked until 2027, and since the BCCI is aiming to extend the league, it would demand a bigger window as compared to the 60-65-day window. Hence, with the current setup, a total of 94 matches cannot be accommodated in that window without an influx of doubleheaders.
However, doubleheaders are something that is hated by broadcasters, as they lead to split viewership and much lower revenue. The BCCI is hence expected to negotiate a two-and-a-half-month dedicated window for the world’s greatest T20 league in the next ICC cycle.
“Since the bilaterals are locked in till 2027, we would need a bigger window to raise the number of games from 74 to 94,” Dhumal explained. “So we are looking for a bigger window post-2027 bilateral cycle. In case we can get that, we will definitely try to have 94 games.”
Perks of the new Football-style points table in the IPL: What’s behind BCCI’s mammoth move?
While the recent system in the IPL, the viewership trends have shown “mid-league fatigue,” and hence, the newer approach has been spoken of to deal with this crisis. This would provide clarity to the fans who currently might be struggling with the complexity of the group-based points table.
Hence, the supreme body has decided to switch back to the traditionality of the IPL with a full home and away match cycle, which would help them to restore the narrative. Hence, the ‘football style’ league table is more intuitive for fans and profitable for the broadcasters.
However, Dhumal has pressed for no increase in franchises, as that would make even the 94-match schedule insufficient and would further dilute the domestic talent pool, which has already begun with ten franchises in the IPL.
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