IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has indicated that the tournament is likely to expand to 94 matches from the 2028 season. Under the proposal, each franchise would play nine games at home and nine away, a return to a more traditional league format if a longer window becomes available.
How the format works now
Since expanding to 10 teams in 2022, each side plays 14 league matches, split evenly between home and away, after the teams are placed in two groups. In the eight-team era each franchise also played 14 games, seven at home and seven away.
More matches, not more teams
Dhumal said adding further teams is not the preferred route at this stage. The league would rather increase the number of matches while keeping home and away fixtures balanced. In his words, with the existing set of teams only the match count can go up, from 74 to 94, which he called the ideal outcome.
The scheduling obstacle
A bigger season would need a much longer scheduling and broadcast window. The BCCI is expected to look at securing a dedicated two-and-a-half-month window in the next ICC cycle.
The international calendar is locked until 2027, which leaves little room within the current 60–65 day window. One option being considered is more double-headers, though broadcasters are reportedly wary because of worries about split viewership and lower advertising revenue.
Dhumal added that the bilateral commitments are fixed until 2027, so a larger window is needed. If the board gets it, he said, it will try to stage 94 games.
