Cricket / BCCI in secret IPL expansion talks! Pune, Vadodara likely to join Cash-Rich League

Mumbai, Nov 10: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has spent nearly two decades redefining cricket's commercial landscape. Now, as the league looks ahead to its next media-rights cycle in 2028, another transformative chapter is reportedly be taking shape.

Behind closed doors, conversations are reportedly underway about expanding the IPL once again, potentially adding at least two new franchises and taking the competition into an uncharted territory.

If the proposal moves forward, it would represent the league's most significant expansion since 2022, when two teams — Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants — were added to create the current 10-team format. But this time, the implications could be even larger.

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Vadodara, Pune Lead Race

Among the cities being discussed as potential homes for the new franchises are Vadodara and Pune, according to people familiar with the deliberations.

Vadodara has long been considered a sleeping giant in Indian cricket. The city boasts a rich cricketing tradition and has produced some of the country's most celebrated players. A franchise there could tap into a passionate fan base while expanding the IPL's footprint within Gujarat.

Pune, meanwhile, is no stranger to the IPL ecosystem. The city has already enjoyed two stints in the cash-rich league, first as the Pune Warriors India between 2011 and 2013, and later as the Rising Pune Supergiant during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. If the city is awarded a franchise in the next expansion phase, it would mark its third innings in the tournament, and this time, potentially as a permanent fixture in the league's long-term future.

The Billion-Dollar Attraction

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the expansion discussions is the money involved. Investor demand for IPL ownership has surged alongside the league's growing influence. What once seemed an ambitious valuation for a cricket team now appears increasingly conservative.

Industry insiders believe any new franchise could command a valuation exceeding $1 billion, underlining the extraordinary commercial appeal of IPL ownership. Such figures would place IPL teams among the most valuable sporting assets in the world.

A League Still Growing

The IPL's success has often defied expectations. Every major milestone, from record-breaking media rights agreements to soaring franchise values, has reinforced its position as cricket's financial powerhouse.

As discussions continue, no final decision has been made. Yet the very fact that expansion is being seriously considered highlights a remarkable reality: even after years of unprecedented growth, the IPL still believes its biggest opportunities may lie ahead.