WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians to Face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Opening Match

WPL 2026 Kickoff Details

New Delhi, Nov 29: The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is set to commence with an exciting match between the Mumbai Indians, who have won the championship twice, and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the 2024 champions. This highly anticipated clash will take place at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 9, as confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday.

Earlier, WPL chairman Jayesh George had revealed the dates and venues for the 2026 season on Thursday, just before the commencement of the mega auction in New Delhi. During the schedule announcement on Saturday, Secretary Devajit Saikia mentioned that the tournament will include two double-header matches in Navi Mumbai, with the final scheduled for February 5 at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, introducing a new aspect to the competition.

The Navi Mumbai segment will run from January 9 to 17, featuring 11 matches before the tournament moves to Vadodara for the remaining 11 games, including the playoffs. The Vadodara leg will kick off with the Gujarat Giants facing RCB, followed by a rematch of the 2025 final between the Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians.

After the league stage concludes on February 1, the Eliminator will take place on February 3, featuring the second and third-placed teams, while the top team will advance directly to the final on February 5. This season will coincide with the men’s Under-19 World Cup starting on February 6 and the men’s T20 World Cup beginning on February 7.

For the first time, the WPL is being held in the January-February window, avoiding overlaps with significant international matches after three seasons in the February-March timeframe. The Mumbai Indians enter the tournament as the defending champions, while the Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the only other team to have claimed the WPL title.

The Delhi Capitals have been runners-up three times, while the Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are still seeking their first final appearance. Following the conclusion of the WPL, India’s all-format tour of Australia will commence on February 15 and continue until March 9.

“With the mega auction in New Delhi on Thursday reshaping and strengthening squads, WPL 2026 is poised to deliver its most riveting season yet. Young Indian players are set to break through alongside seasoned international performers, promising high-intensity cricket throughout,” stated Saikia.

WPL 2026 Schedule

Navi Mumbai Leg

January 9: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

January 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants

January 10: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals

January 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants

January 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz

January 13: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants

January 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals

January 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz

January 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants

January 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians

January 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Vadodara Leg

January 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

January 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians

January 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz

January 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals

January 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians

January 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals

January 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

January 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians

February 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz

February 3: Eliminator

February 5: Final