IPL 2028: How Indian Premier League is adopting a football-style format?

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed several highs and lows since its inauguration. The 18th edition is currently underway, and the league is evolving both on and off the field. Recently, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal hinted at a significant development. He stated that from IPL 2028, the tournament might be expanded to 94 matches as part of the new cycle.

This extension could eventually alter the structure and feel of the IPL. He admitted that it would depend only on a larger tournament window and player availability. This tournament then will feel like the structure followed in major football leagues around the world.

If it is implemented, the IPL could shift away from its identity as a high-energy summer event and start resembling a football season. For instance, leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, feature 20 teams, with each team playing 38 matches (19 home and 19 away), which will be spread across nine months mostly from August to May.

Also read: Arun Dhumal hints at 94-match IPL from 2028

Similarly, a 94-match IPL would require at least four months to complete, which will be a significant extension from its duration of a little over two months. This could impact international cricket calendars, where players prefer playing in bilateral series and ICC tournaments are already packed throughout the year.

Football matches are usually held over weekends (Friday to Sunday) and last around 90 minutes. In contrast, IPL matches take three to four hours by making a longer tournament season more physically and mentally troubling for both players and audiences. A long season will also lead to fans potentially losing interest over time.

In football, club commitments often come in front over international duties, where players mostly feature in friendly matches, and World Cups every four years once. But, in cricket the players heavily concentrate on national representation, with bilateral series, Test matches, and ICC events like the World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy.

In conclusion, if the IPL 2028 expands to a 94-match format, it could resemble a football league season in both structure and duration. It may open up several opportunities, but could dilute the format of IPL which is fast-paced, and might reduce the engagement.