The Indian Premier League could expand from 10 to 12 teams from the 2028 season, with Pune and Vadodara emerging as the frontrunner cities for two new franchises, according to a report.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is reportedly exploring the addition of at least two franchises to the league, according to a report in Mint, with preliminary discussions underway ahead of the next media rights cycle. The proposal remains at an early stage, and no final decision has been taken on the locations. The BCCI has not officially announced an expansion to 12 teams, and no bidding process or ownership details have been announced so far.
The timing of the proposed expansion is significant. It would coincide with the league’s next media rights period, which is expected to run from 2028 to 2032, creating a window in which the board could pair more matches with fresh inventory for broadcasters and sponsors. Each new franchise could command a valuation of more than $1 billion, approximately Rs 8,900 crore, according to the report, reflecting the sharp rise in the league’s commercial standing and strong interest from Indian business houses and overseas investment firms.
If it goes through, the move would mark the IPL’s biggest expansion since 2022, when Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants joined the competition and the league returned to 10 teams. Pune previously hosted an IPL franchise, with Rising Pune Supergiant playing in the league in 2016 and 2017, while Vadodara has never had an IPL team. The final choice of cities could still change, with other locations also understood to be under consideration.
The league currently features 10 franchises — Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. The board is assessing commercial opportunities, investor interest and the tournament’s long-term growth prospects, according to the report, and any expansion will ultimately depend on the availability of leading Indian players and broadcasters’ appetite for additional matches in an already packed international calendar. The discussions remain private, with those familiar with the plans asking not to be identified because the deliberations are not public.
The expansion talk comes at a busy time for the league, with the franchises currently finalising their squads ahead of the November 17 deadline to submit their retained and released player lists for IPL 2027. The mini-auction will be held in Goa on December 16, the first IPL auction in India since Kochi in 2022.
Related:
- IPL 2027 Auction Guide: Date, Venue, Rules, Purse and What Happens Next — https://t20star.com/ipl-2027-auction-guide-date-venue-rules-purse-and-what-happens-next/
- Ruturaj Gaikwad to Remain Chennai Super Kings Captain for IPL 2027 as Noor Ahmad Set to Stay — https://t20star.com/ruturaj-gaikwad-to-remain-chennai-super-kings-captain-for-ipl-2027-as-noor-ahmad-set-to-stay/
