Arun Dhumal Confirms BCCI’s Plan For 94-Match IPL Tournament From 2028

The BCCI is preparing for a major IPL format expansion from 2028 as the league eyes a 94-match structure while continuing with 10 franchises.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is preparing to significantly expand the Indian Premier League from the 2028 season onward. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed that the league is planning to move from the current 74-match structure to a 94-game season during the next media rights cycle.

The proposed format will remove the existing virtual group system and bring back a complete home-and-away round-robin model where every franchise faces each other twice. Despite the increase in matches, the BCCI currently has no plans to add more franchises to the tournament.

“With the given set of teams, only we can go for more number of matches. 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,” Dhumal said, reiterating the point he made last year.

ICC FTP Remains Biggest Obstacle For Immediate Expansion

Although the BCCI is keen on implementing the larger tournament structure, the current ICC Future Tours Programme remains a major roadblock. International bilateral commitments are already locked in until 2027, leaving the IPL with a restricted two-month window that is insufficient for a 94-match tournament.

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At present, extending the season would require a large number of double-headers, something broadcasters are reportedly not in favour of due to divided audience engagement and reduced advertising value.

“Since the bilaterals are locked in till 2027, we would need a bigger window to raise the number of games from 74 to 94. 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,” Dhumal explained.

Reports suggest that the BCCI could negotiate a dedicated 2.5-month exclusive IPL window in the next ICC cycle, allowing the league to run with minimal interference from international cricket.

BCCI Wants Simpler Format And Better Viewer Engagement

The move towards a full home-and-away structure is also believed to be connected to viewership trends witnessed during IPL 2026. Under the current format, teams are divided into virtual groups while still sharing a common points table, a setup that has often confused viewers and disrupted continuity during the middle phase of the tournament.

The league reportedly observed a decline in audience engagement midway through the season, with fans struggling to remain invested in the complex format. By introducing a traditional league system similar to football tournaments, the BCCI hopes to create clearer narratives and maintain fan interest throughout the campaign.

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At the same time, the board also appears cautious about increasing the number of franchises beyond 10. Adding more teams would further stretch the domestic talent pool and demand an even larger tournament window, factors the board currently wants to avoid.