IPL eyes billion-dollar franchises in Vadodara and Pune for 2028 media rights cycle
· Sports · LiveMint, Moneycontrol
The Board of Control for Cricket in India plans to add at least two new franchises from the 2028 media-rights cycle, with Vadodara and Pune emerging as the leading candidate cities. Each new team could be valued at over $1 billion, with private equity firm Permira and sovereign wealth funds from West Asia among the early investors evaluating bids. Gujarat's push to position Vadodara as a sports hub is driving interest, given its proximity to the existing Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Pune returns to the IPL fold after a decade-long absence, having hosted the Warriors and Rising Pune Supergiant in previous seasons.
Why it matters
Expansion will significantly increase the IPL's revenue pool and competitive landscape, directly affecting fans, investors, and existing franchise owners as the league scales its media rights value. The move opens new bidding opportunities for India's ultra-high-net-worth individuals and deep-pocketed overseas investors.
Read the original report — LiveMint
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.