Punjab Kings co-owner Mohit Burman believes the IPL’s expansion in terms of matches will depend on securing a larger window in the cricket calendar, but says there is significant scope to improve fan engagement and build a stronger year-round ecosystem around the league. The IPL’s current window lasts a little over two months, considerably shorter than leagues such as the English Premier League, National Basketball Association and National Football League. So, what should the IPL do to maximise its growth potential? IPL 2026 | Schedule | Results | Orange Cap | Purple Cap “I think the IPL’s next stage of growth has to go beyond just adding more matches or increasing revenues. The league has already achieved extraordinary scale domestically. The focus now should be on deepening engagement and building a stronger year-round ecosystem. “One major opportunity is global fan development. Today, IPL franchises have followers across the world because cricket audiences are no longer limited by geography. Digital platforms have made teams global brands. The league can further strengthen its international footprint through fan events, content collaborations and overseas engagement strategies,” Burman said. On whether he would prefer more matches or more teams in the IPL, Burman said the number of games could rise from 74 to 94 in the future, though that is not feasible within the current window. After 2027, an increase in matches is likely, but it will depend heavily on international cricket commitments. “With 10 teams, the current range of games is probably sustainable, perhaps with a calculated increase over time if scheduling allows. But cricket is different from many other global sports because players also have significant international commitments. “Workload management is becoming an increasingly serious issue, especially with so much cricket being played across formats and leagues. As for adding more teams, I think the IPL is in a very healthy position right now with 10 franchises. Expansion should happen only when there is confidence that talent depth, scheduling and commercial demand can support it,” he added.