Home
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially put an end to weeks of intense media speculation surrounding two of the Indian Premier League's (IPL) most talked-about topics, an immediate 12-team expansion and a proposed hike in franchise auction purses ahead of the 2027 season. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia addressed the growing rumors directly, firmly stating that the board has neither formally nor informally discussed expanding the IPL beyond its current 10-team model. Furthermore, the governing body confirmed that there are no current plans to increase the team salary cap from ₹125 crore to Rs 150 crore for the upcoming player auction window. Saikia dismissed media reports attributing these changes to the 2028 IPL cycle as speculation from 'fertile minds', reassuring fans and stakeholders that the BCCI remains entirely focused on hosting the landmark 20th edition of the IPL in 2027.
ADVERTISEMENT
BCCI quashes 12-Team expansion rumors
Rumors began circulating across media outlets following speculative reports suggesting that the BCCI was actively planning to introduce two new franchises, with cities like Pune and Vadodara linked as potential bidding locations, to coincide with the 2028–2032 media rights cycle. Reports claimed that each new team could fetch valuations upwards of $1 billion, drawing potential interest from corporate conglomerates and international private equity firms. However, Saikia dismantled these assertions, explicitly clarifying the board’s position.
"We have neither discussed formally nor informally the possibility of the IPL becoming a 12-team affair in 2028. It is not in our scope at this stage. We are concerned about the IPL of 2027, which is going to be the 20th edition of the IPL. So it will be a big affair. We are concerned about that and we are not considering anything beyond that," Saikia told PTI.
"Whatever news is circulating in the media, I think these are all speculative reports from some fertile minds. I have no comments to offer regarding those. There is no sanctity to those reports," he added.
ALSO READ: Arshdeep Singh announces engagement with Samreen Kaur following Mumbai Indians move, shows off ring
BCCI’s decision to maintain a 10-team framework reflects a strategic commitment to operational stability. Having successfully transitioned from an 8-team to a 10-team league with the addition of the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants in 2022, the board prioritizes maintaining a tightly contested 74-match schedule rather than congesting an already packed international FTP (Future Tours Programme) calendar.
Clearing the Air on Franchise Salary Purses
Alongside team expansion, reports had claimed that the BCCI was contemplating raising the team salary purse from the current ₹125 crore cap to ₹150 crore ahead of the upcoming auction. This speculation emerged as high-profile marquee players reportedly sought larger retention payouts, putting financial pressure on team management budgets. Saikia clarified that no such budget inflation would occur for the upcoming season, maintaining the financial framework established for the final year of the current administrative cycle.
"There is nothing of that sort regarding an increase in the salary purse. The mega auction will be sometime next year. This time it will not be a mega auction. Our auction is going to take place on December 16, which will be the last year of the cycle. Thereafter, we will take a call," Saikia further stated.
The upcoming player auction, scheduled for December 16, 2026, serves as a mini-auction to complete squad rosters for the 2027 season. Because it is the final year of the current three-year cycle, the salary ceiling remains locked at ₹125 crore.
The board will only evaluate structural increases to player purses after completing the 2027 tournament, leading into the next mega auction cycle planned for late 2027/early 2028.
Rather than getting caught up in long-term expansion models, the BCCI is concentrating its administrative resources on planning IPL 2027, which marks the historic 20th anniversary edition of the league since its inception in 2008. Slated to begin in March 2027, the 20th season is positioned as a celebration of the league's transformation into a global sporting giant. Saikia stated that delivering a seamless, high-production 2027 edition takes absolute precedence over distant commercial experiments.
During the same interaction, the BCCI secretary also addressed alternative scheduling proposals, such as shifting the IPL window from its traditional March–May slot to January, reaffirming that the tournament will stick strictly to its traditional calendar start in March 2027.
"We are concerned about hosting the 2027 IPL, which is going to start in March 2027. That's all," he signed off.
With administrative rumors put to rest, all 10 franchises are turning their attention toward the December 16 mini-auction. Franchises must lodge their finalised retention and release lists by their designated deadline, allowing teams to recalibrate their remaining purse balances.
ADVERTISEMENT
