WPL 2026 schedule announced: Mumbai Indians to take on RCB in blockbuster opener, final on February 05
The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 will get underway on January 09, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Mumbai Indians (MI) in a blockbuster opener.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the official schedule for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 on Saturday. The fourth season of the WPL will commence on January 9, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), in the opener at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
The tournament will be played across two venues - the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai and the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The first leg of the tournament will take place in Mumbai from January 9 to 17, followed by the second leg in Vadodara from January 19. The final will be played in Vadodara on February 05.
The league stage of the tournament will feature 20 matches. The Eliminator will be played in Vadodara on February 03, followed by the summit clash on February 05. The team that finishes at the top of the table during the league stage will qualify directly for the final, while the 2nd and third-ranked teams will lock horns in the Eliminator for the other spot in the final.
Complete schedule of WPL 2026:
Jan 9: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Navi Mumbai
Jan 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants, Navi Mumbai
Jan 10: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals, Navi Mumbai
Jan 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants, Navi Mumbai
Jan 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz, Navi Mumbai
Jan 13: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants, Navi Mumbai
Jan 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals, Navi Mumbai
Jan 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz, Navi Mumbai
Jan 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants, Navi Mumbai
Jan 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians, Navi Mumbai
Jan 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Navi Mumbai
Jan 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Vadodara
Jan 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians, Vadodara
Jan 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz, Vadodara
Jan 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals, Vadodara
Jan 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians, Vadodara
Jan 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals, Vadodara
Jan 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Vadodara
Jan 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians, Vadodara
Feb 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz, Vadodara
Feb 3: Eliminator, Vadodara
Feb 5: Final, Vadodara
Mumbai Indians have emerged as the most successful team in the WPL so far, having won two titles in the first three seasons. After clinching the title in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2023, the Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals in the final to win the WPL 2025 title earlier this year.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru claimed their maiden WPL title last year. Delhi Capitals have been the most consistent team in the WPL, having made it to the final in all three seasons.
WPL teams spend Rs 40.80 crore in WPL 2026 auction
The five franchises spent Rs 40.80 crore on 67 players in the WPL 2026 auction on Thursday in New Delhi to strengthen their respective teams. Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma turned out to be the most expensive player at the auction after being signed by her former team UP Warriorz for Rs 3.20 crore.
New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr was the second-most expensive signing at the WPL 2026 auction after the Mumbai Indians splurged Rs 3 crore to get her back for the upcoming season. Senior Indian pacer Shikha Pandey was signed by the UP Warriorz for Rs 2.20 crore, making her the third-most expensive player in the WPL 2026 auction.