WPL 2026 starts Jan 9! Get the full schedule, squad details, and match timings. Explore how the mega auction changed your favorite teams.
The 2026 season promises to be the most expansive yet, as it follows India’s historic triumph in the recent Women’s World Cup. The tournament is structured as a double round-robin format where all five franchises—Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Delhi Capitals (DC), UP Warriorz (UPW), and Gujarat Giants (GG)—will play each other twice.
Tournament Dates
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Start Date: January 9, 2026
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League Stage Ends: February 1, 2026
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The Eliminator: February 3, 2026
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The Final: February 5, 2026
Opening Match: MI vs RCB
The season kicks off with a high-octane clash on January 9 at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Defending champions Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will face the 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captained by Smriti Mandhana. This rivalry has become the “El Clasico” of the WPL, and starting the season with these two giants sets a massive tone for the weeks to follow.
Venues and Leg Distribution
To bring the game to a wider audience, the BCCI has split the 22 matches across two primary hubs:
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Navi Mumbai Leg (Jan 9 – Jan 17): The first 11 matches, including the season opener, will be held at the DY Patil Stadium. This leg features two double-headers on Saturdays.
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Vadodara Leg (Jan 19 – Feb 5): The action then shifts to the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. This venue will host the remaining 11 matches, including the crucial Eliminator and the Grand Final.
New Squads and Captains
The November 2025 mega-auction saw teams rebuilding from scratch. UP Warriorz made the biggest splash by securing Deepti Sharma for ₹3.20 crore, while Shikha Pandey also commanded a high price of ₹2.4 crore.
Interestingly, there have been shifts in leadership. While Harmanpreet (MI) and Mandhana (RCB) remain at the helm of their respective teams, Jemimah Rodrigues has taken over the captaincy for Delhi Capitals, replacing the legendary Meg Lanning, who has moved to the UP Warriorz. Ashleigh Gardner continues to lead the Gujarat Giants as they look for their first-ever playoff appearance.
Team Captains
| Team | Captain |
| Mumbai Indians | Harmanpreet Kaur |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Smriti Mandhana |
| Delhi Capitals | Jemimah Rodrigues |
| UP Warriorz | Meg Lanning |
| Gujarat Giants | Ashleigh Gardner |
Key Changes and Player Availability
A significant talking point heading into January 9 is the absence of some global stars. RCB’s Ellyse Perry and DC’s Annabel Sutherland have pulled out due to personal reasons. RCB has brought in Sayali Satghare as a replacement, while DC has bolstered their spin attack by signing Australian star Alana King.
Broadcasting and Where to Watch
The WPL 2026 will be accessible to millions of fans globally. In India, JioStar (the merged entity of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar) will be the digital home for the league, offering 4K streaming and multi-language commentary. On television, the Star Sports Network will broadcast all matches live.
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Standard Match Time: 7:30 PM IST
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Double-Header Afternoon Starts: 3:00 PM IST
WPL 2026 January 9
The opening day isn’t just about the match; it’s a celebration of the sport. Fans can expect a star-studded opening ceremony featuring Bollywood performances and light shows before the toss at 7:00 PM. With Mumbai Indians looking to start their title defense strongly and RCB aiming to reclaim their lost glory, the DY Patil Stadium is expected to be a sell-out.
The WPL is no longer just a developmental league; it is a global powerhouse. As the first ball is bowled this Friday, the eyes of the cricketing world will be on Navi Mumbai.
