The 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to kick off on January 9 with defending champions Mumbai Indians facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This edition introduces a January–February window, featuring a 28-day tournament across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, culminating in a weekday final on February 5.
The 2026 Women’s Premier League will launch with a high-profile encounter between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on January 9, marking the start of a season with several notable structural changes. This is the first time the WPL will be played in a January–February window, aiming to offer a cleaner and uninterrupted schedule compared to previous editions.
Officials involved in the scheduling process stated that the league wanted to “avoid the crowded international cycle” and ensure maximum visibility for women’s cricket. The season will conclude with a rare weekday final on February 5, designed to optimize broadcast reach while accommodating venue and global cricket logistics.
The 28-day tournament will be split between Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, with equal importance given to both cities in the scheduling framework.
DY Patil Stadium, fresh from hosting India’s ODI World Cup triumph, will stage the opening 11 matches, including the Saturday double-headers, providing fans with a prime cricketing spectacle.
The remaining 11 league games will take place at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium, which will also host the eliminator on February 3 and the final on February 5, ensuring a fitting climax to the tournament.
WPL chairman Jayesh George, while unveiling the fixtures during the players’ auction, emphasized the league’s effort to maintain prime-time consistency. Officials noted that the plan was to “limit afternoon starts as much as possible,” with only early games on double-header days starting before sunset. All other matches will be held under lights, enhancing viewer experience and stadium ambience.
|
Game |
Date |
Venue |
|---|---|---|
|
MI vs RCB |
January 9 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
UPW vs GG |
January 10 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
MI vs DC |
January 10 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
DC vs GG |
January 11 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
RCB vs UPW |
January 12 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
MI vs GG |
January 13 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
UPW vs DC |
January 14 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
MI vs UPW |
January 15 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
RCB vs GG |
January 16 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
UPW vs MI |
January 17 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
DC vs RCB |
January 17 |
Navi Mumbai |
|
GG vs RCB |
January 19 |
Vadodara |
|
DC vs MI |
January 20 |
Vadodara |
|
GG vs UPW |
January 22 |
Vadodara |
|
RCB vs DC |
January 24 |
Vadodara |
|
RCB vs MI |
January 26 |
Vadodara |
|
GG vs DC |
January 27 |
Vadodara |
|
UPW vs RCB |
January 29 |
Vadodara |
|
GG vs MI |
January 30 |
Vadodara |
|
DC vs UPW |
February 1 |
Vadodara |
|
Eliminator |
February 3 |
Vadodara |
|
Final |
February 5 |
Vadodara |
The league has shifted to a January–February calendar, avoiding clashes with international cricket and ensuring better exposure for women’s cricket.
Both Navi Mumbai and Vadodara will host a similar number of matches, including high-stakes games like eliminators and finals, making WPL 2026 a truly pan-India experience.
Most matches are scheduled under lights, except early double-header games, ensuring prime-time TV viewership and maximum fan engagement.
Conclusion
The WPL 2026 promises an exciting mix of cricketing action, strategic scheduling, and enhanced fan experience. With marquee matches like MI vs RCB opening the season and a weekday final in Vadodara, this edition is set to elevate the profile of women’s cricket in India while maintaining global standards.