NAVI MUMBAI – The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 officially gets underway today, Friday, January 9, at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy. The opening match features a blockbuster rivalry between the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), and the 2024 winners, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The fourth edition is being hailed as a “watershed moment” for Indian women’s cricket, following the national team’s historic ODI World Cup victory in November 2025.
1. Opening Match Details: MI vs. RCB
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
- Captains: Harmanpreet Kaur (MI) vs. Smriti Mandhana (RCB)
- The Stakes: This season serves as the ultimate audition for the T20 World Cup in the UK (June 2026). Selectors are expected to use WPL performances to finalize the Indian squad.
2. 2026 Season Structure & Venues
Due to logistical constraints, the BCCI has opted out of a home-and-away format, instead splitting the tournament between two key hubs:
| Leg | Dates | Venue | Matches |
| First Leg | Jan 9 – Jan 17 | Navi Mumbai (DY Patil) | 11 Matches |
| Second Leg | Jan 19 – Feb 1 | Vadodara (BCA Stadium) | 11 Matches |
| Playoffs | Feb 3 & Feb 5 | Vadodara (BCA Stadium) | Eliminator & Final |
3. Team Revamp: Major Captaincy Shifts
Following the mega-auction in late 2025, several franchises have entered the season with a fresh look:
- Delhi Capitals (DC): Jemimah Rodrigues takes over the captaincy from Meg Lanning.
- UP Warriorz (UPW): In a surprise move, Australian legend Meg Lanning moved to UPW and will lead the side alongside coach Abhishek Nayar.
- Gujarat Giants (GG): Ashleigh Gardner takes the reins as captain for the 2026 edition.
- Injury Blows: The league is missing some star power this year following the last-minute withdrawals of Ellyse Perry (RCB) and Annabel Sutherland (DC).
4. Commercial Evolution: End of Free Entry
Reflecting the soaring popularity of the women’s game, the WPL has transitioned into a fully ticketed event.
- Tickets: Available on the official WPL website and “District” app.
- Valuation: The league is no longer seen as a “promotional” tool but as a standalone global sports asset, especially after India’s recent world dominance.