WPL 2026 season: Women’s cricket could be heading back to the DY Patil Stadium sooner than expected. The venue, which recently staged the unforgettable final of the Women’s World Cup, is all set to return to the spotlight as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) gears up for its fourth season in January 2026.
The BCCI has narrowed down Mumbai and Baroda as the two host cities for the season, and all signs point to DY Patil hosting the opening leg. The stadium has long been a favourite among India’s women cricketers, and kicking off the tournament there feels like a natural fit.
Second half in Baroda
If plans fall into place, the league’s second half, including the final will shift to Baroda, with matches played at the Kotambi Stadium. The Baroda leg is expected to begin around January 16, just days after the men’s ODI between India and New Zealand scheduled in the city on January 11.
For now, the board hasn’t formally informed the franchises, though the discussions are happening internally. The official word is likely to come during the WPL auction in New Delhi on November 27. Four cities were originally in the mix Lucknow, Bengaluru, Baroda and Mumbai but Mumbai and Baroda have emerged as the final picks after hosting duties rotated last season.
January 7 Start on the Cards
While the dates haven’t been rubber-stamped, the WPL is likely to run from January 7 to February 3. The league was played in February-March last year, but the shift to January seems intentional.
There are a couple of big reasons behind the move. The men’s T20 World Cup, set for early February in India and Sri Lanka, naturally limits scheduling flexibility. On top of that, January is being viewed as a long-term, globally agreed window for the WPL so that it doesn’t clash with other women’s leagues or the ICC’s Future Tours Programme.
Mumbai Indians will head into the season as defending champions after beating Delhi Capitals last year at the Brabourne Stadium. With two strong venues, a cleaner window, and growing interest in women’s cricket, WPL 2026 already promises to be another big leap forward for the sport.
WPL 2026 Auction
The WPL 2026 mega auction will be held in New Delhi on November 27, shortly after the release of the league’s retention list earlier this month. Each franchise can assemble a squad of up to 18 players, with 73 total slots, including 23 overseas up for grabs across the five teams.
🔟 Days to Go ⏳
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) November 17, 2025
The countdown to #TATAWPL Mega Auction has begun 🔥
Catch the #TATAWPLAuction 2026 on November 27 on https://t.co/jP2vYAWukG pic.twitter.com/tQftgx5Zsn
