The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is gearing up for a much earlier start in 2026. As per multiple reports, the fourth edition of WPL is expected to begin on 7 January 2026, with the grand finale scheduled for 3 February. The official confirmation is expected on 26 November, just a day before the WPL 2026 Mega Auction (27 November, New Delhi).
According to officials, the WPL Governing Council will meet on 26 November to finalise the venues and detailed fixtures. This early scheduling is due to a busy cricket window – India and Sri Lanka will co-host the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, followed by a two-month IPL season. Therefore, WPL is expected to be played earlier than usual.
Two Venues Finalised for WPL 2026
As per Cricbuzz and internal communications, WPL 2026 will be hosted across two Indian cities:
WPL 2026 Venues (Likely)
| Phase | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | DY Patil Stadium | Navi Mumbai |
| Phase 2 | Kotambi Stadium | Vadodara |
This will be the second time the league moves to a two-venue format after experimenting with multi-city hosting last year. Players are particularly excited about starting at DY Patil Stadium, where India lifted their first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup.
Why the Early Start?
The January window is being preferred by BCCI and franchise owners because:
- It avoids clashes with Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL)
- It keeps the event free from ICC commitments
- It ensures better player availability
- It avoids the Men’s T20 World Cup and IPL overlap
Most cricket boards now want WPL to be a January tournament every year.
WPL 2026 Auction: Purse Update for All Teams
The mega auction is set for 27 November in New Delhi, and franchises have significant purse amounts remaining.
WPL 2026 Remaining Purse (Before Auction)
| Team | Remaining Purse (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| UP Warriorz | 14.5 |
| Gujarat Giants | 9.0 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 6.15 |
| Mumbai Indians | 5.75 |
| Delhi Capitals | 5.7 |
Delhi Capitals surprisingly released their star captain Meg Lanning, despite her taking them to three consecutive finals.
Star Players to Watch in WPL 2026 Auction
Some of the biggest names expected to attract massive bids include:
- Deepti Sharma – Player of the Tournament (Women’s ODI World Cup)
- Alyssa Healy – Australian captain
- Amelia Kerr – All-round star from New Zealand
- Meg Lanning – Former DC captain, now back in the auction pool
The competition between UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants — both holding huge purse amounts — will be worth watching.
Mumbai Indians enter WPL 2026 as the defending champions, having beaten Delhi Capitals in the 2025 final. MI have already won two out of three WPL titles (2023 & 2025) and are again considered strong contenders.
Official Announcement Awaited
While the final schedule is pending approval, sources confirm that:
- WPL 2026 will run from 7 January to 3 February
- Two venues will host the entire league
- Franchises will get official details during the mega auction on 27 November
Once approved, BCCI will release the full match schedule and ticketing details.
