WPL 2026 Set for Early January Start as BCCI Unveils Full Tournament Schedule

Nov 2025 : The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is gearing up for an exciting fourth edition, with the 2026 rosters now finalised following this week’s auction. As teams strengthen their squads for the new cycle, fans can begin planning for what promises to be another thrilling season of top-tier women’s cricket. The BCCI has released the complete tournament schedule, confirming that the WPL will begin earlier than usual to accommodate the Men’s T20 World Cup, which will occupy the traditional February–March window.

The 2026 season will begin on January 9, when defending champions Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, take on Royal Challengers Bangalore, captained by Smriti Mandhana. This high-energy opener will set the tone for a compact and competitive season expected to showcase both established stars and new talents emerging from the auction.

As with previous editions, the WPL will continue with its caravan-style format, operating across two venues. The first phase of the tournament—including the opening 11 league-stage matches—will be hosted at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, a venue that recently witnessed the Indian women’s team lift the World Cup in an iconic campaign. The stadium is expected to draw large crowds as fans relive the celebratory atmosphere from that historic triumph.

The second half of the tournament will shift to Vadodara, which will play a major role in WPL history by hosting the finals for the very first time. The Kotambi Stadium will host the final on Thursday, February 5, following the playoffs and the final nine games of the group stage. The Eliminator—featuring the second and third-placed teams—will take place on Tuesday, February 3, with the top-ranked side having already secured a direct path to the championship clash.

Among the high-profile fixtures early in the tournament is the much-anticipated rematch between the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals, who met in last year’s final. Delhi are expected to name Jemimah Rodrigues as their new captain following the departure of Meg Lanning, adding further intrigue to the marquee showdown.

The schedule also features two double-header days—January 10 and January 17. On the first, fans will witness UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants, followed by UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians, with both games staged in Navi Mumbai. The caravan will then move to Vadodara, where Gujarat Giants will host RCB on January 19, marking the first match of the tournament in the new venue.

To ensure peak performance and reduce fatigue in the compact five-team league, six rest days have been incorporated during the Vadodara leg. This thoughtful scheduling allows players sufficient recovery time ahead of the crucial final stretch of the season.

With a well-balanced schedule, revitalised squads, and anticipation already building, the WPL 2026 season is set to deliver another landmark chapter in the rise of women’s cricket in India.

Women’s Premier League 2026 – Full Schedule

League Stage Matches

📍 Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai

📍 Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara

Playoffs

Team Maverick.