IPL to expand by two franchises from 2028 season: Know all details

The Indian Premier League (IPL) could reportedly expand the teams once again, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) exploring the option of adding two more sides from the 2028 season of the tournament. The proposed expansion is anticipated to happen from the next media rights cycle of the competition, covering 2028 to 2032. 

Each of the cities could get a valuation of more than $1 billion amid the growing interest from business groups and international investment, as the Mint reported. Pune and Vadodara are now the front-runners to become the two new franchises of the IPL from the next edition.

IPL 2028 expansion: What the report says about two new franchises and the 12-team format

Vadodara’s emergence as the new IPL destination comes after the broader push of Gujarat to strengthen its position as a sporting hub. The city is situated around 110 km from Ahmedabad, where the Gujarat Titans play their home games. The centre reflected the ambitions of Ahmedabad to develop the international sporting infrastructure.

Pune has previously hosted two IPL franchises, including the Pune Warriors India (PWI) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the 2018 season of the event. The city was home to the Sahara Group-owned PWI between 2011 and 2013.

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Pune also hosted the Rising Pune Supergiants for two editions in 2016 and 2017, when Chennai and the Rajasthan Royals were suspended. The team reached the 2017 final but lost to the Mumbai Indians by one run when the final took place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

The IPL last expanded before the 2022 season, when the BCCI awarded two new sides. The RPSG got the Lucknow Super Giants for $940 million, while CVC Capital Partners got the GT side for $750 million.

Did the IPL have 12 teams? A look back at the expanded seasons

The IPL has never had 12 franchises. Across its history, the event has operated as an eight-team tournament, expanding to nine teams and twice to ten franchises. The plans are being evaluated by the BCCI to expand the league to 12 teams by the 2028 season.

In 2011, the IPL first ventured to the 10-team group with the addition of the two sides- the Pune Warriors India (PWI) and the Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK). This expansion altered the event, resulting in a whopping 74 matches. Kochi was terminated by the BCCI after just one season due to a breach of contract regarding bank guarantees.

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Meanwhile, from the 2022 season to the present, the league expanded back to 10 sides, with the inclusion of LSG and GT, with the franchises selling for thousands of crores and re-establishing the 74-game tournament window.