WPL 2026 earmarked to commence in early January

The fourth season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to start earlier than in previous years, with the tournament likely to kick off in the first week of January 2026. With the league now getting a dedicated window in the women’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), the event is expected to run in a format similar to other major women’s competitions such as the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia and The Hundred for Women in England. According to reports, the 2026 edition is all set to commence by January 8.

The organizers will not require over four weeks for holding the marquee tournament, which will have only 22 matches. While the exact date of the final remains undecided, the tournament is expected to conclude by early February. The first three editions had been staged later in the year, Season 1 ran from March 4 to March 26, Season 2 from February 23 to March 17, and Season 3 from February 14 to March 15.

According to Cricbuzz, the venue allocation is another decision pending from the host board. While the first season was held across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium and the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi hosted the second season. In 2025, matches were spread across Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai. Whether the board opts for an expanded multi-venue format in 2026 remains to be seen.

One of the most eagerly awaited developments is the announcement regarding the player auction. The decision will not only cover the date, venue, and salary cap but also the auction size. With three successful seasons completed, there is growing speculation about whether the BCCI will introduce a mega-auction, similar to the IPL model. Opinions are divided, one camp favours a reshuffle to increase competitiveness, while another argues for continuity to help teams build stability.

The WPL currently features five franchises: Mumbai Indians Women, Delhi Capitals Women, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women. MI, the defending champions, have won two titles, while RCB clinched the trophy in 2024, led by Smriti Mandhana.