IPL MEDIA RIGHTS
It has been learnt that while there will be 74 games in the first two years of the new cycle – 2023 and 2024 – in the next couple of years, the number of games will be 84. © BCCI
It’s 410… and how the numbers add up. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has hinted at increasing the number of Indian Premier League (IPL) games per season in the next cycle of 2023-27. The immediate indications are that the number of games will add up to 410 with progressive increase after every two seasons.
It has been learnt that while there will be 74 games in the first two years of the new cycle – 2023 and 2024 – in the next couple of years, the number of games will be 84. In the fifth and final season of the cycle, it could be 94 although the BCCI has kept the option of 84 games also open. However, the bidders are believed to have been advised to go with the calculation of 410 games, and not 370.
Cricbuzz had reported on May 6 about the lack of clarity in the Invitation To Tender (ITT) over the number of games each season and cumulatively in five seasons and how clarifications were sought by those who have purchased the Invitation To Tender (ITT) document.
It is, however, not clear how the BCCI/IPL will break down the number of games for each team so that 84 and 94 numbers are added up perfectly. It is likely that in the case of 94 games, each team will play twice each, home and away – the regular format – followed by the four play-offs and that will add up to the big number.
However, the BCCI will have to devise a formula, just like this season for 74 games, for an 84-games edition. Currently, the league is divided into two virtual groups of five teams with each team playing twice against four others in its group, once against four of the other group and twice against the remaining one team. Four playoffs add up to 74. In case of 84, the formula could be twice against each side in one’s own group, twice against two of the other group and once against the remaining three.
Clarity on this is yet to come but there is no ambiguity in the number of games for the Special non-exclusive Package (C) when the volume of games goes up in a season. As reported before, there would be 18 games in the special package for a 74-game season. It is now learnt that there will be 20 games for an 84-game season and 22 games in a 94-game edition. In total, the number of games in Package C in five years will be 96, which include the opening match of every season, the playoffs and the night matches of the double-headers.
Source: Cricbuzz