The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially unveiled the complete schedule for WPL 2026, marking the beginning of the fourth season of the Women’s Premier League. With team squads finalized after the recent player auction, attention has now shifted to the match calendar, venues, and major fixtures that will define the upcoming edition of India’s premier women’s T20 competition.
The WPL 2026 season will run from January 9 to February 5, 2026, bringing elite women’s cricket back earlier than usual. This schedule shift has been made to accommodate the men’s ICC T20 World Cup, which is slated for the traditional February–March window. As a result, fans can expect high-intensity women’s cricket to kick off right at the start of the new year.
WPL 2026 Opening Match: Mumbai Indians vs RCB
The tournament will get underway with a blockbuster opening match featuring defending champions Mumbai Indians against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The clash will see two of the biggest names in women’s cricket—Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana—go head-to-head on January 9, setting the tone for what promises to be another fiercely competitive season.
Mumbai Indians enter WPL 2026 as reigning champions, while RCB will be eager to make a strong start after rebuilding their squad at the auction. The opening encounter is expected to draw massive viewership, especially among fans in India, the UK, and the US, where women’s cricket continues to gain momentum.
WPL 2026: Tournament Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Tournament Start | January 9, 2026 |
| League Stage Begins | January 9, 2026 |
| Eliminator | February 3, 2026 |
| Final | February 5, 2026 |
| Tournament End | February 5, 2026 |
Venues for WPL 2026: Navi Mumbai and Vadodara
The BCCI has opted to continue with the caravan-style format for WPL 2026, limiting the tournament to two host cities. This approach ensures smoother logistics while maintaining competitive balance across venues.
DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
The first half of the league stage will be played at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, a venue with strong recent memories for Indian women’s cricket fans. It was here that the Indian women’s team celebrated a historic World Cup triumph, making it a fitting stage for the opening phase of the tournament.
A total of 11 league matches will be hosted at DY Patil Stadium, including both scheduled double-header days.
Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara – A Historic First
From January 19 onwards, the tournament will move to Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, which will host the remainder of the league matches as well as the playoffs. Notably, the WPL final will be held in Vadodara for the first time, marking a historic moment for the city and the tournament.
WPL 2026 Venues Breakdown
| Venue | City | Matches Hosted |
|---|---|---|
| DY Patil Stadium | Navi Mumbai | First 11 league matches |
| Kotambi Stadium | Vadodara | Last 9 league matches + Eliminator + Final |
Playoff Format Remains Unchanged
The Women’s Premier League will retain its existing playoff structure for WPL 2026. Under this system:
- The top-ranked team at the end of the league stage qualifies directly for the final
- Teams finishing second and third will face off in an Eliminator
- The winner of the Eliminator advances to the final
The Eliminator will be played on Tuesday, February 3, while the final is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2026, an unusual midweek finale that has already sparked discussion among fans.
Key Matches and Rivalries to Watch in WPL 2026
One of the most anticipated fixtures in the early stages of WPL 2026 will be the rematch of last season’s final between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. This contest carries added intrigue, as Delhi Capitals are expected to name Jemimah Rodrigues as their new captain, following the departure of former skipper Meg Lanning.
The Capitals will be eager to turn past heartbreak into redemption, while Mumbai Indians will look to reaffirm their dominance in women’s franchise cricket.
Double-Headers and Match Highlights
The WPL 2026 schedule includes two double-header days, offering fans a full day of action-packed cricket.
Double-Header Match Days
| Date | Matches | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| January 10 | UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants | Navi Mumbai |
| January 17 | UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians | Navi Mumbai |
Both double-header days will be played in Navi Mumbai, allowing fans to enjoy back-to-back matches under the same conditions.
Read also: Who Won the 1st WPL? Complete History, Winner, Final Match, and Key Records
Vadodara Leg Begins with Gujarat Giants vs RCB
The first match in Vadodara will take place on January 19, featuring Gujarat Giants against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This fixture will mark the tournament’s transition into its second phase and set the stage for a crucial run of league matches leading into the playoffs.
To manage player workload and ensure peak performance, the BCCI has smartly incorporated six rest days during the Vadodara leg. These breaks are designed to support recovery in what is a compact, high-intensity tournament featuring only five teams.
Read also: Ind vs SL Women 5th T20: India Women Seal Historic 5-0 Series Win with 15-Run Victory Over Sri Lanka
Why WPL 2026 Matters
With each passing season, the Women’s Premier League continues to raise the standard of women’s cricket globally. WPL 2026 not only strengthens India’s domestic women’s ecosystem but also plays a vital role in developing future international stars.
The decision to introduce a new final host, maintain competitive scheduling, and prioritize player welfare reflects the league’s growing maturity and global ambitions.
As January approaches, fans around the world will be counting down to another thrilling chapter in the Women’s Premier League story—one that promises drama, rivalries, and unforgettable moments on cricket’s biggest stage.
