Pune Set For IPL Comeback? City Among Contenders For Two New Teams From 2028

Pune, 11th November 2026: Pune could be back in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly exploring the addition of two franchises from the 2028 season. Pune and Vadodara are among the cities being considered for the proposed expansion of the cash-rich league to 12 teams.

According to a report in Mint, the BCCI has initiated preliminary discussions with private equity investors ahead of the next media rights cycle, which begins in 2028. European buyout fund Permira, West Asian sovereign wealth funds, major Indian business conglomerates and US-based family offices are among those reportedly evaluating investments in the proposed franchises.

The new teams could command valuations of more than $1 billion each, reflecting the growing commercial appeal of the IPL.

Pune has previously hosted two IPL franchises. The Sahara Group-owned Pune Warriors India featured in the league from 2011 to 2013 before withdrawing following a dispute over franchise fees and the BCCI’s decision to encash its bank guarantee.

The city returned to the IPL circuit in 2016 when Rising Pune Supergiant was introduced as a temporary franchise for two seasons, following the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The team played its home matches in Pune before exiting after the 2017 season.

The proposed expansion comes amid record-breaking franchise valuations and growing investor interest in the league. Earlier this year, Royal Challengers Bengaluru was acquired by a consortium comprising the Aditya Birla Group, Bolt Ventures, Blackstone and Times of India Group for $1.78 billion (around Rs 16,660 crore).

In another major transaction, industrialist Lakshmi N Mittal, his son Aditya Mittal and Adar Poonawalla acquired a majority stake in Rajasthan Royals through a bid of $1.65 billion (around Rs 15,600 crore). Last year, the Torrent Group acquired a 67% stake in Gujarat Titans for approximately $875 million.

The IPL’s 2023-27 media rights fetched around Rs 48,000 crore, and the next cycle, covering 2028-33, is expected to surpass that figure.

The league began with eight teams in 2008 and expanded to 10 in 2011, with the addition of Pune Warriors India and Kochi Tuskers Kerala. However, Kochi’s franchise was terminated after one season over contractual issues, while Pune Warriors withdrew in 2013, taking the league back to eight teams.

The IPL returned to a 10-team format in 2022 after the addition of Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans. The Lucknow franchise was acquired by the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group for Rs 7,090 crore, while CVC Capital Partners secured Ahmedabad’s franchise for Rs 5,625 crore.

If the proposed expansion materialises, Pune could once again find a place on the IPL map after nearly a decade.