BCCI Eyes Two New IPL Teams by 2028, Pune and Vadodara in Frontrunner List

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring plans to expand the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 10 to 12 teams by 2028, with Pune and Vadodara emerging as potential destinations for the two proposed new franchises.

The discussions are at an early stage, with the BCCI looking at the possibility of introducing the additional teams ahead of the 2028-2032 media rights cycle. However, no final decision has been taken on the expansion or the cities that could host the new franchises.

Pune and Vadodara are understood to be among the leading contenders. Pune has previously been home to an IPL franchise, the Rising Pune Supergiant, which competed in the tournament in 2016 and 2017. Vadodara, meanwhile, could become another major cricket centre in Gujarat, which already hosts the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

The proposed expansion is also attracting interest from potential investors, with each new franchise potentially commanding a valuation of more than $1 billion. The commercial prospects of adding two teams are likely to be a major consideration for the BCCI.

However, the proposal could also bring challenges. While an expanded tournament would offer more opportunities for players, sponsors and broadcasters, it could lead to a longer schedule and raise questions about maintaining the competition's quality and balance.

There is also a debate over whether the new franchises should go to cities with an established cricket market or regions that have so far remained outside the IPL map.

For now, the BCCI is weighing the commercial benefits against the tournament's competitive demands before taking the proposal forward.