The 2026 edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to introduce a significant shift in its scheduling, with the tournament final to be held on a weekday for the first time. The final will take place on Thursday, 5 February, rather than over the weekend as seen in all previous editions. The competition will also feature two double-header fixtures, both slated for Saturdays, after the tournament begins on 9 January.
The 28-day tournament will be staged across two venues: Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. Navi Mumbai, where India recently clinched the ODI World Cup by defeating South Africa in early November, will host the opening 11 matches, including the two double-headers, at the DY Patil Stadium. The remaining 11 fixtures, including the eliminator on 3 February and the grand final, will take place at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
The announcement regarding the dates and venues was formally made by WPL chairman Jayesh George on Thursday, coinciding with the WPL players’ auction. With the exception of the earlier match on double-header days, all fixtures will be held in the evening.
The week of the final is shaping up to be a congested one in global cricket. The men’s Under-19 World Cup concludes the day after the WPL final, on 6 February, while the men’s T20 World Cup commences the very next day, on 7 February. This scheduling scenario places the WPL final amidst a particularly busy period in the cricketing calendar.
For the first time, the WPL will be staged in the January–February window. The previous three seasons were held in February–March, just prior to the IPL. Additionally, this marks the first edition in which the WPL will not clash with major international cricket fixtures, offering greater visibility and uninterrupted viewership.
Mumbai Indians enter the 2026 season as the defending champions, having secured two titles in the three editions held thus far. Royal Challengers Bengaluru remain the only other team to have lifted the trophy. Delhi Capitals hold the unique record of finishing as runners-up in all three seasons to date. Meanwhile, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are still awaiting their maiden appearance in a WPL final.
Ten days after the conclusion of the WPL, the Indian women’s team will embark on a full-format tour of Australia. The tour, running from 15 February to 9 March, will consist of three T20Is, three ODIs, and a one-off Test.
