Women's Premier League 2026: Exciting Schedule and Venue Details Revealed

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 is set to take place from January 9 to February 5, featuring matches in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. This season marks a shift to a January-February schedule, avoiding clashes with international fixtures. Defending champions Mumbai Indians aim to continue their success, while the Delhi Capitals seek their first title. With hopes for a future home-and-away format, the league is poised for growth. Read on for more details about the exciting upcoming season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 28, 2025, 01:56 IST

WPL 2026 Season Dates and Locations Announced

The upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in 2026 is scheduled to run from January 9 to February 5, featuring matches in two cities: Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. This announcement was made by league chairman Jayesh George during the WPL auction held in Delhi, according to reports from a sports media outlet.

The opening match will take place at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, a venue that recently celebrated India’s triumph in the Women’s ODI World Cup. Following the initial phase, the tournament will transition to Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, where the final will occur on February 5. This season marks a significant change, as it will be the first time the WPL is held in January-February, moving away from the traditional February-March schedule that precedes the Indian Premier League (IPL). Importantly, this edition will also avoid overlapping with major international matches for the first time.

Defending Champions and Future Prospects

The Mumbai Indians (MI), who are the reigning champions, aim to maintain their stronghold, having secured victory in two out of the three previous seasons. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the title in 2024, while the Delhi Capitals (DC) have consistently finished as runners-up in all editions thus far. Following the conclusion of the WPL, the Indian women’s cricket team is set to tour Australia for a comprehensive series, including three T20 matches, three ODIs, and a Test match from February 15 to March 9.

Changes in Venue Structure and Future Aspirations

This year, the WPL expanded its reach by hosting matches across four venues: Lucknow, Vadodara, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, marking a step towards a home-and-away format. Teams like UP Warriorz, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Giants, and RCB played at their respective home grounds. However, with the return to a two-city format for 2026, similar to the 2024 season, DC co-owner Parth Jindal expressed optimism for a future where the league could adopt a full home-and-away structure.

“We would love to see the WPL adopt a home-and-away format. While the current caravan style is acceptable, it’s not the best,” Jindal stated, as reported by a sports media outlet. He emphasized that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely working towards this goal. He noted that the current time frame is limited, which necessitates the existing format, but he hopes for an extended window for the WPL in the future. Jindal also mentioned the potential addition of one or two new teams, which could facilitate the transition to a home-and-away model, benefiting fans and the growth of the league.