Reports: BCCI aiming to expand IPL to 94 games during the 2023-27 cycle

In the latest development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to increase the number of IPL games during the upcoming five-year cycle between 2023-2027.

According to a report published in CricBuzz, while the first two years of the new cycle will see 74 matches- 70 league-stage + 4 playoffs- the number is likely to shoot up to 84 games in the third and fourth year of the cycle, while the final year could see as many as 94 games take place.

Earlier this year, the BCCI made the cash-rich league a ten-team affair by adding Lucknow Supergiants and Gujarat Titans, which eventually claimed the title under Hardik Pandya's leadership.

The format was designed in such a way that it was able to retain its set formula of each team playing 14 league matches.

Two virtual groups consisting of five teams were made, which involved each side playing the remaining four franchises from their group twice besides playing 4 out of 5 sides once and twice against the remaining team from the other group.

The report added that the total number of games in the five-year cycle could add up to a whopping 410.

It also stated that the bidders for the broadcast and digital media rights have been advised to go ahead with the calculation of 410 matches as opposed to 370.

If the total number of matches shot up to 84, then the formula, which was used during the recent season, could be altered. It could involve each side facing the other side in their group twice, and twice against two of the other group and once against the remaining teams.

The report also clarified that there is no confusion regarding the number of games in the Special Non-Exclusive Package of the media rights if the number of games shots up in the forthcoming cycle.

As opposed to previous reports that suggested that the special package will have rights to 18 non-exclusive games, CricBuzz has stated that for an 84-game season, Package C will consist of the rights to 20 games, which will increase to 22 when the total number of games increase to 94.

The e-auction for the broadcasting and digital rights for the 2023-27 cycle will take place on 12 June, and the board is expected to rake in more 50,000 crores.