Indian Premier League to Expand to 12 Teams from 2027 Season

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approved the expansion of the Indian Premier League from 10 to 12 teams starting the 2027 season. The two new franchises will represent Indore and Cuttack, with the franchise auction expected to take place in September this year. Industry estimates suggest each new franchise could sell for over Rs 10,000 crore.

Impact on Tournament Structure

With 12 teams, the IPL will move to a conference system similar to American sports leagues. Teams will be divided into two groups of six, with each team playing 16 matches in the league stage — 10 within their group and 6 against the other group. The top three from each group will qualify for the playoffs.

The expanded tournament will run for approximately 75 days, with 94 matches in total. This has raised concerns about player workload, particularly for Indian internationals who already juggle a packed calendar. The BCCI has assured that adequate rest periods will be built into the schedule.

"IPL expansion is a natural step in cricket's growth story. The talent pool in India is deep enough to support 12 competitive franchises. This will also create more opportunities for domestic players," said BCCI Secretary Jay Shah.

The new franchises will participate in a separate player draft for their initial squads, followed by a mini-auction. Existing teams will be allowed to retain a maximum of five players before the draft. The move is expected to generate additional revenue of Rs 3,000 crore annually from broadcasting and sponsorship deals.