The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 will kick off with defending champions Mumbai Indians facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening match on January 9, 2026, in Navi Mumbai, confirmed by the BCCI.
The season will run from January 9 to February 5, with matches split between Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. The first 11 games will be held at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai (January 9-17).
The league will then move to Vadodara for the remaining 11 fixtures, starting with a clash between Gujarat Giants and RCB. The league phase will continue until February 1, with only two double-header days—January 10 and 17—featuring UP Warriorz in the afternoon games.
The Eliminator match, between the second and third-placed teams, will take place on February 3, while the top team in the league table will qualify directly for the final on February 5 in Vadodara.
The squads for the five teams were finalised in the first-ever mega auction earlier this week. WPL 2026 starts earlier than usual this year and precedes the men’s T20 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from mid-February onwards.
WPL 2026 Schedule (Summary)
| Date | Match | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 9 | MI vs RCB | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai | Season opener |
| Jan 10 | Double Header | DY Patil Stadium | Afternoon & evening matches |
| Jan 17 | Double Header | DY Patil Stadium | Final Navi Mumbai matches |
| Feb 1 | League Ends | Vadodara | Last league fixture |
| Feb 3 | Eliminator | Vadodara | 2nd vs 3rd |
| Feb 5 | Final | Vadodara | Champion decided |
The opening match promises high-octane action, setting the tone for what is expected to be a thrilling WPL season.