The excitement for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is building rapidly as the BCCI has officially confirmed the date for the much-awaited Mega Auction. With several top Indian and international stars entering the auction pool, all five franchises are preparing to revamp their squads ahead of what promises to be the biggest and most competitive WPL season yet.
According to the latest updates, the WPL 2026 Mega Auction will be held on 27 November 2025, one day after the Governing Council meeting scheduled for 26 November, where venues and fixtures for the upcoming season will be finalized.
WPL 2026 Mega Auction
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Auction Date | 27 November 2025 |
| Venue | New Delhi |
| Teams Participating | 5 |
| Total Slots Available | 73 |
| Overseas Slots | 23 |
| Season Start Date (Expected) | 7 January 2026 |
| Final (Expected) | 3 February 2026 |
| Likely Venues for WPL 2026 | DY Patil Stadium (Navi Mumbai), Kotambi Stadium (Vadodara) |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioCinema / Hotstar |
| Official Updates | WPLT20.com |
WPL Auction 2026: Who Has the Biggest Purse?
All five franchises enter the mega auction with significant purse amounts, but UP Warriorz lead the pack by a massive margin.
Team-Wise Purse Remaining for WPL 2026 Auction
| Team | Purse Left (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| UP Warriorz | 14.50 Cr |
| Gujarat Giants | 9.00 Cr |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 6.15 Cr |
| Delhi Capitals | 5.70 Cr |
| Mumbai Indians | 5.75 Cr |
| Total Purse Across Teams | 41.01 Cr |
UP Warriorz will be the most aggressive buyers this year with maximum spending power, while MI, DC, RCB, and GG will focus on strategic picks to strengthen their cores.
Also see: WPL 2026: Tournament Likely to Begin on January 7, Final on February 3
Big Players in Demand – Who Might Fetch Record Bids?
The WPL 2026 auction pool is expected to feature several big names, including:
- Deepti Sharma (India) – Player of the Tournament in the Women’s ODI World Cup
- Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa Captain)
- Alyssa Healy (Australia)
- Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
- Meg Lanning (Australia, former DC captain)
With many franchises rebuilding, expect bidding wars for world-class all-rounders, frontline pacers, and power-hitters.
Why the Early WPL Window This Time?
WPL 2026 is likely to start early — from 7 January to 3 February 2026 — because:
- India and Sri Lanka will co-host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 right after WPL.
- The two-month long IPL 2026 will follow soon after.
To avoid scheduling clashes and player fatigue, the WPL has been advanced by a month.
Fans can watch the WPL 2026 Mega Auction live through multiple platforms. The entire event will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, including channels like Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2, and Star Sports Select. Those who prefer online streaming can tune in via JioCinema or Disney+ Hotstar, which will offer live digital coverage of the auction. For real-time updates, player lists, and official announcements, viewers can also visit the tournament’s official website WPLT20.com.
With the mega auction just around the corner, WPL 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest, boldest, and most competitive season so far. The purse values, venue changes, international stars, and fresh squad combinations add an exciting build-up to the fourth edition.
