The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is all set to launch on January 9, with defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Saturday, 29 November.
Earlier, during the WPL mega auction in New Delhi on 27 November, WPL Chairman Jayesh George had revealed the tournament dates, venues, and structure for the upcoming season.
Tournament Structure
The first leg of WPL 2026 will be hosted in Navi Mumbai from January 9 to 17, followed by the second leg in Vadodara from January 19 to February 5, with the final scheduled in Vadodara. The league stage will feature 20 high-octane matches, culminating in the Eliminator on February 3 and the final on February 5.
In the WPL 2026 auction, a total of 277 players were available, including 194 Indian and 83 overseas players. Franchises secured 67 players, with 23 overseas players among them, at a combined spend of ₹40.8 crore.
- Mumbai Indians enter the season as defending champions, having won the inaugural 2023 edition.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed the trophy in 2024.
Full WPL 2026 Schedule
Navi Mumbai Leg (Jan 9 – 17)
- Jan 9: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Jan 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants
- Jan 10: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals
- Jan 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants
- Jan 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz
- Jan 13: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants
- Jan 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals
- Jan 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz
- Jan 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants
- Jan 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians
- Jan 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Vadodara Leg (Jan 19 – Feb 5)
- Jan 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Jan 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians
- Jan 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz
- Jan 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals
- Jan 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians
- Jan 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals
- Jan 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Jan 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians
- Feb 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz
- Feb 3: Eliminator
- Feb 5: Final
The WPL 2026 promises an action-packed season of women’s cricket, featuring top domestic and international talent, as teams battle for supremacy and glory. Fans across India are gearing up for a thrilling opening clash between MI and RCB that sets the tone for the blockbuster season ahead.
