The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is expected to begin its fourth season earlier than in prior years, most likely in the first week of January 2026. The league will likely follow the same pattern as previous important women’s competitions like the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia and The Hundred for Women in England, given it now has a designated window in the women’s Future Tours Programme (FTP). The 2026 edition is reportedly scheduled to start on January 8.
The organizers will not need more than four weeks to hold the headline tournament, which will include only 22 matches. The tournament is anticipated to end by early February, while the final’s precise date is still up in the air. Season 1 went from March 4 to March 26, Season 2 ran from February 23 to March 17, and Season 3 ran from February 14 to March 15. The first three editions were held later in the year.
According to Cricbuzz, the host board is still making decisions about venue allocation. The second season was staged at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi and the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, whereas the first season was spread across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai hosted matches in 2025. It is unclear if the board will choose to use a larger multi-venue structure in 2026.
WPL Auction Buzz: Mega-Auction Talk Ahead of Upcoming Season
The announcement of the player auction is one of the most anticipated events. The choice will affect the auction size in addition to the date, location, and wage cap. After three successful seasons, there is increasing conjecture on the BCCI’s potential to implement a mega-auction akin to the IPL model. There are differing views; some support a reorganization to boost competition, while others support continuity to aid teams in establishing stability.
The Mumbai Indians Women, Delhi Capitals Women, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women are the current five teams in the WPL. The reigning champions, MI, have already won two championships, but under Smriti Mandhana’s leadership, RCB claimed the cup in 2024.
