A bigger IPL season with 94 matches on cards, IPL boss says

Plans to expand the Indian Premier League ( IPL) to 84 matches by 2025 were put on hold due to a tight calendar and concerns from broadcasters over scheduling too many double-headers, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.

However, discussions about expansion are still ongoing, with a full home-and-away season of 94 matches being considered for the next media-rights cycle beginning in 2028.

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal told ESPNcricinfo that these plans have been a part of discussions.

"Definitely, that might be an opportunity." He added, "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."

The IPL currently runs from mid-March to the end of May, a fixed slot in the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the next two years. "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," Dhumal was quoted as saying by ESPN.

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However, he acknowledged the challenges, and said, "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, how it is changing and evolving over the years, maybe at some point in time we would look and take that option."

Dhumal explained the reasons behind not expanding in 2025 and said that there's been so much cricket in the past year. "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," he said.

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The next review of the IPL window will take place when cricket boards negotiate the upcoming FTP. While some franchise officials have expressed a preference for a 94-match season, any decision will depend heavily on broadcaster interest, especially following the Reliance-Disney merger to form JioStar in India.

Mid-season viewership dips have been a concern for broadcasters, who cite fan fatigue from too many matches. The 2025 IPL season is set to span nine weeks, featuring 12 double-headers. Expanding to 94 games would require adding two more weeks to the already packed international calendar.

Commenting on the current state of the league, Dhumal said that ten is a good number for now and that the focus is on tournament quality. "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," he added.