BCCI breaks silence on IPL 2028 expansion, clears air on Rs 150 Crore team purse

BCCI Rules Out 12-Team IPL Plan, Says 2027 Season Is the Priority

Speculation that the Indian Premier League could expand from 10 teams to 12 by 2028 has been firmly rejected by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board has not discussed adding franchises, either formally or informally, and described reports about a 12-team competition as speculation without official backing.

The clarification puts a pause on predictions of another major change to the IPL’s format. The league has grown into one of the world’s most prominent domestic T20 competitions, and another expansion would affect its schedule, player auction, broadcasting arrangements and team operations. For now, however, the BCCI’s attention is on the tournament’s next milestones rather than a future increase in the number of sides.

Saikia: No expansion proposal is under consideration

Responding to reports that the IPL might feature 12 teams from the 2028 season, Saikia said there was no plan currently being considered. He also indicated that the board was not looking beyond its immediate priorities, making clear that the reported expansion should not be treated as a confirmed development.

“We have neither discussed formally nor informally the possibility of the IPL becoming a 12-team affair in 2028,” Saikia said. He added that the board was focused on the 2027 edition, which will mark the tournament’s 20th season, and called it an important occasion for the league.

The distinction matters for fans and franchises alike. A larger IPL could mean more matches, a different competition structure and additional opportunities for players and potential team owners. But without a formal proposal from the BCCI, predictions about when or how expansion might happen remain unconfirmed.

Why the 2027 IPL is a key focus

The 2027 season is expected to be a landmark edition, as it will be the IPL’s 20th. Saikia said the BCCI is concentrating on delivering that tournament, which is scheduled to begin in March 2027. His comments suggest that planning for the anniversary season is taking precedence over wider discussions about the league’s long-term format.

Expansion is not simply a matter of adding two new names to the fixture list. More teams would likely require a larger player pool, adjustments to the schedule and careful planning around venues and broadcast commitments. The IPL already occupies a substantial portion of the international cricket calendar, so any future change would need to account for player workload and the availability of stadiums.

For supporters hoping to see new franchises enter the competition, Saikia’s statement does not rule out expansion forever. It does, however, make clear that there is no confirmed 2028 plan at this stage. Until the BCCI announces otherwise, the current 10-team format remains the basis for discussion.

No confirmation of a Rs 150 crore team purse

Saikia also addressed reports that the BCCI could increase the franchise salary purse from Rs 125 crore to Rs 150 crore ahead of a future mega auction. He dismissed the claim, saying there was no decision to raise the purse.

The team purse is a central part of IPL auction planning because it determines how much each franchise can spend on its squad. A significant increase could reshape bidding strategies, affect player valuations and give teams more room to compete for high-profile talent. But Saikia’s remarks indicate that no such change has been approved or announced.

He said the next mega auction was expected to take place sometime in 2027, while the upcoming auction on December 16 would be the final one in the current cycle. The BCCI would make further decisions after that, he explained. That means teams and fans should be cautious about treating reports of a Rs 150 crore purse as settled policy.

What the auction timeline means for franchises

For IPL teams, clarity on the auction calendar is crucial. Franchises use the period between auctions to assess squad balance, identify retention priorities and plan for likely player availability. Any change to the purse or auction format could influence those decisions, but the BCCI has not confirmed an increase in spending limits.

The upcoming auction and the later mega auction are also different events. A regular auction generally gives teams a chance to fill specific gaps, while a mega auction can bring broader changes to squad composition. Saikia’s comments indicate that the board is proceeding with the existing cycle for now, with decisions about what follows to be made later.

BCCI offers no commitment on a January IPL schedule

The BCCI secretary also declined to offer a detailed response to a suggestion from Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Juhi Chawla, who recently proposed moving the IPL to January rather than its customary April-May window. Saikia said the board was focused on hosting the 2027 tournament, which is expected to begin in March.

A change to the IPL calendar would have far-reaching implications. The tournament’s usual window is shaped by India’s domestic and international cricket schedule, weather conditions, venue availability and the commitments of overseas players. Moving the competition to January would require coordination with cricket boards around the world, as well as a review of existing fixtures and player workloads.

Saikia’s response did not endorse or reject Chawla’s suggestion as a long-term possibility. Instead, it reinforced the BCCI’s immediate focus: organizing the 2027 season. Any decision about a different window would require a broader discussion and an official announcement from the board.

What IPL fans should take from the latest update

For now, the key takeaway is that three widely discussed possibilities remain unconfirmed: a 12-team IPL in 2028, a rise in the team purse to Rs 150 crore and a permanent shift to a January schedule. Saikia’s comments provide the clearest indication yet that none of these changes is currently part of the BCCI’s announced plans.

The league’s 20th season in 2027 is the board’s immediate priority. As preparations progress, fans can expect more concrete information about the schedule, auction arrangements and any special plans for the landmark edition. Until then, predictions about expansion or structural changes should be treated as speculation rather than official policy.