The Indian Premier League could eventually move away from its traditional March-May slot, with IPL chairman Arun Dhumal revealing that the BCCI may consider staging the tournament in September and October in the future.
Speaking to Sportstar, Dhumal said discussions around a possible change in the IPL calendar have emerged as the tournament prepares for further expansion beyond 2027, although no immediate decision has been taken.
Why is the IPL window shift being discussed?
Since its inaugural edition in 2008, the IPL has been played during the Indian summer months of March, April and May. However, rising temperatures across several host cities have increasingly become a challenge for players, support staff and spectators.
The issue gained prominence during IPL 2026, with several venues experiencing
extreme heat conditions during afternoon training sessions and evening matches.
Dhumal acknowledged that weather concerns could become an important factor when the BCCI evaluates future scheduling options.
"We need to sit across and speak to the broadcaster for their opinion on whether the tournament can be moved to another window," Dhumal said.
September-October emerges as leading alternative
Among the potential alternatives, September and October have emerged as the strongest candidates.
According to Dhumal, the period immediately preceding Diwali offers significant commercial advantages while also providing more favourable weather conditions compared to peak summer months.
"One suggestion was a window in September-October. That is the best time from an advertiser's point of view because it's just before Diwali," Dhumal explained.
The festive season traditionally attracts increased advertising spending in India, making the period particularly attractive for broadcasters and sponsors.
IPL Expansion plans driving the conversation
The discussion comes as the IPL Governing Council continues exploring plans to increase the number of matches from 2028 onwards.
The league currently consists of 74 matches involving 10 teams. However, administrators have long expressed ambitions of expanding the competition closer to a full home-and-away format, which would significantly increase the number of fixtures.
A longer tournament could make scheduling within the existing March-May window more challenging, particularly given India's packed international calendar and the increasing workload demands on players.
No immediate change on the cards
Despite the growing conversation, Dhumal stressed that any change would require extensive consultation with broadcasters and stakeholders.
The current IPL cycle remains locked into its existing scheduling structure, meaning a move away from the traditional March-May slot is unlikely before the next broadcast and bilateral rights cycle is negotiated.
"We will look at that when the next bilateral tender comes into play, in case we can find a window there," Dhumal said.
For now, the IPL remains firmly anchored in its traditional summer slot. But with expansion plans gathering pace and player welfare concerns becoming increasingly prominent, a September-October IPL is no longer just a hypothetical discussion-it is now a realistic option being considered by the league's decision-makers.
The prospect of cooler weather, stronger advertising opportunities and a larger tournament format means the debate around an IPL calendar shift is likely to intensify over the coming years.
