IPL Expansion: BCCI Plans Transition to 94-Match Format by 2028

The Future of the IPL: Moving Toward a 94-Match Season

The landscape of T20 cricket is on the verge of a significant evolution. Recent reports confirm that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up to expand the Indian Premier League (IPL) from its current 74-match format to a staggering 94 matches per season. This strategic shift, as outlined by IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, is scheduled for implementation in 2028, promising to reshape how the tournament is contested.

The Transition to a Traditional Round-Robin Format

For several years, the IPL has utilized a virtual group system to manage the complexities of a 10-team tournament. However, this structure is set to be dismantled in favor of a traditional, double-legged round-robin format. By moving to a 94-match schedule, every participating franchise will be guaranteed to play every other team twice—once at home and once away. This return to the classic format aims to bring a sense of balance and clarity that many fans and analysts believe has been missing since the league expanded to ten teams.

Why the BCCI is Capping Teams at Ten

Despite the increase in the number of fixtures, the BCCI has clarified that the number of franchises will remain capped at 10. Arun Dhumal emphasized that increasing the team count is not currently on the agenda. Instead, the focus remains on maximizing the potential of the existing ten franchises. As Dhumal noted, the math is simple: with the current setup, expanding the schedule to 94 games is the most logical path to achieving a perfectly balanced home-and-away experience for all participants.

Navigating the ICC Future Tours Programme

One might wonder why the expansion is delayed until 2028 rather than occurring sooner. The answer lies within the rigorous scheduling of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP). Current bilateral cricket calendars are locked in until 2027, leaving the BCCI with a tight 60 to 65-day window for the IPL. Accommodating 94 matches requires a significantly larger window of time that simply does not exist within the current international cricket framework. Consequently, the BCCI is waiting for the conclusion of the 2027 bilateral cycle to secure the necessary space in the global calendar.

Addressing Viewership Trends and Tournament Fatigue

The decision to expand the tournament comes at an interesting juncture. Recent viewership data from the 2026 season indicated a noticeable dip of 15-20% during the middle phase of the tournament. The reality of “cricket fatigue” is becoming increasingly evident; with a constant barrage of T20 World Cups, bilateral series, and extended domestic seasons, fans are beginning to feel the strain of perpetual content consumption.

By transitioning to a more traditional, football-style home-and-away round-robin, the BCCI hopes to streamline the tournament’s complexity. The current virtual group model, where teams are split into two groups of five while sharing a single points table, can be confusing for casual viewers. A standard round-robin structure offers a more straightforward narrative, potentially helping to sustain interest and restore the excitement that has made the IPL a global phenomenon.

Looking Ahead

As we look toward 2028, the IPL continues to cement its status as one of the most significant sporting events in the world. While the tournament is already considered quite lengthy—often spanning two and a half months—the demand for high-quality T20 cricket remains robust. By prioritizing quality of competition through a balanced fixture list, the BCCI is aiming to ensure that the IPL remains not just a spectacle, but a premier sporting product that resonates with fans worldwide. Whether this expansion will successfully mitigate the challenges of player and spectator fatigue remains a key question, but it is clear that the league’s administrators are committed to a bold, long-term vision for the game.