Vadodara may soon find a place on the Indian Premier League (IPL) map, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly exploring the possibility of adding at least two new franchises from the 2028 season.
According to media reports citing sources familiar with the discussions, Vadodara and Pune are among the cities being considered for the proposed expansion. However, the plan is still at an early stage, and the final decision on the host cities is expected to depend on several factors, including investor interest.
The proposed expansion is likely to coincide with the next IPL media-rights cycle, which begins in 2028. Industry estimates indicate that each new franchise could be valued at more than $1 billion, underlining the tournament’s growing commercial appeal.
Several investors are reportedly exploring opportunities to acquire new teams or take minority stakes in existing franchises. These include private equity firm Permira, Asian state-backed entities, West Asian sovereign wealth funds, major Indian business groups, US-based family offices and wealthy individual investors. However, neither the BCCI nor Permira has publicly commented on the reported discussions.
Vadodara’s potential entry into the IPL also comes against the backdrop of Gujarat’s expanding sports infrastructure. Ahmedabad is already home to the Gujarat Titans and is being developed as a major sporting destination, while the state has wider ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
Situated around 110 km from Ahmedabad, Vadodara has an international cricket stadium capable of hosting major tournaments. The Baroda Cricket Association’s stadium at Kotambi, also known as the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, was inaugurated in December 2024 and has a seating capacity of approximately 40,000.
Constructed on the outskirts of the city at an estimated cost of ₹200–215 crore, the stadium is equipped with floodlights, corporate hospitality boxes, modern dressing rooms and media facilities. It has already hosted international women’s ODI matches and Women’s Premier League fixtures, establishing itself as a venue for major cricket events.
The city is also working to strengthen its domestic T20 cricket ecosystem. Launched in 2025, the Baroda Premier League has created a local platform modelled on the IPL, helping promote the sport and expand its regional following.
The IPL last underwent a major expansion in 2022, when Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants joined the tournament, taking the total number of teams to 10. Pune, meanwhile, has previous experience of hosting an IPL franchise through Rising Pune Supergiant, which competed in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
The possibility of adding new teams comes at a time when IPL franchise valuations have risen significantly. Recent ownership transactions involving established teams, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, have reportedly placed their valuations in the range of $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion in certain deals.
The IPL’s previous media-rights cycle was valued at approximately ₹48,000 crore, and the next cycle, beginning in 2028, is expected to generate considerable commercial interest. An increase in the number of franchises would mean more matches and potentially higher broadcasting and sponsorship revenues. However, scheduling and player availability would remain important considerations for the league.
If selected, Vadodara would become Gujarat’s second IPL city after Ahmedabad, giving the city a significant boost to its sporting profile. For now, however, the BCCI has not made any formal announcement regarding the expansion, bidding process or shortlisted cities, and the proposal remains at the discussion stage.