BCCI announces 94-match IPL season starting in 2028

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has dropped a massive hint about increasing the number of games to 94 in the league. He said that although they won't add new teams in the tournament, BCCI will seriously consider a full home-and-away format from the next media-rights cycle.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) arguably is the biggest franchise tournament in the world. The league currently hosts 74 games in the season, and the impact of the league is such that during the window, not many international games are scheduled so that all the players can play in the league.

In the last few years, there have been talks of increasing the number of games to 84 in the ongoing 2025 season. But, the idea got delayed due to a scheduling crunch around the tournament's window and the broadcasters' aversion to too many double-headers.

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We'd want a larger window, or to maybe go on from 74 to 84 or 94 - Arun Dhumal

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, however, said that the BCCI is looking at the opportunity to increase the number of games in the tournament. He said that they are discussing things with the ICC as well as within BCCI, saying that they are eyeing 94 games in a season with every team playing at home and away. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, he said:

"Definitely, that might be an opportunity. We've been discussing in ICC, we've been discussing in-house in BCCI. Given how the interest of the fan is changing with regard to bilateral and ICC events, in regard to franchise cricket and T20 cricket, we'll have to talk more seriously about it and see how we can create maximum value for the stakeholders of the game.

"Ideally, we'd want a larger window, or to maybe go on from 74 to 84 or 94 at some point… So that every team gets to play against every team home and away, for that, you need 94 games."

Whenever we think that the time is opportune, we'll take that call - Arun Dhumal on increasing IPL games

Arun Dhumal added that an increase in the number of games won't be possible in short term, but at some point in time, they will be looking at it. He also explained why they didn't use the 84-game format this year. He added:

"Given the window and the kind of commitments that we have with regards to bilateral cricket and ICC events, that may not be possible in the short term. But given the landscape and how it is changing and evolving over the years, maybe at some point in time, we would look and take that option.

"There's been so much cricket: we came back from Australia from a Test series, we had this Champions Trophy, and on top of that we have this IPL. That is why it was decided that it doesn't make sense from going from 74 to 84 [in 2025], but whenever we think that the time is opportune, we'll take that call."

Ten is a good number for now - Arun Dhumal on increasing teams in IPL

Arun Dhumal also added that they are not looking to increase the number of teams in the IPL. He also expressed his gratitude to fans for showing their love towards the league.

"Ten is a good number for now," Dhumal said. "Paramount is the interest in the tournament and the quality of cricket that we play… I don't see any scope in the short term. Going forward, with how this whole landscape evolves, we'll take a call accordingly."

"Every year, it's been growing," Dhumal said. "We are very glad how the fans have loved this tournament, and the broadcast numbers and in-stadia numbers are all phenomenal. We are hoping to carry on with this being a special edition, the 18th edition. We are very sure that it'll continue to grow in the way we've seen over the last 17 years."

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