WPL 2026 to begin with MI vs RCB as BCCI announces complete schedule for Jan 9-Feb 5

WPL 2026 schedule revealed [Source: AFP]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released the full schedule for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) on November 29. The tournament will run from January 9 to February 5, making it a 28-day cricket event packed with action.

For the first time in WPL history, the final will be played on a weekday, Thursday, February 5, instead of the usual weekend slot. This season will also feature two double-header days, both scheduled on Saturdays. All the early matches on these days will be followed by evening games, while most other matches will take place in the evening.

As revealed earlier, the tournament will be split between two venues: Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium and Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium.

Notably, the first 11 matches, including both double-headers, will be played in Navi Mumbai. The remaining 11 matches, including the eliminator on February 3 and the final on February 5, will be hosted in Vadodara.

Women's Premier League 2026 schedule

WPL chairman Jayesh George confirmed the dates and venues during the WPL auction held on Thursday.

This season also marks a major shift in timing. Unlike previous years when the WPL took place in February-March right before the IPL, the 2026 edition will be held in January-February. This change helps avoid clashes with major international tours and ensures that the tournament can feature the best players without scheduling conflicts.

The final week of the tournament is expected to be a busy one. The men’s Under-19 World Cup ends on February 6, just a day after the WPL final, and the men’s T20 World Cup begins on February 7.

MI are set to face RCB in the opening WPL match

The Mumbai Indians (MI) come in as defending champions, having won two out of the three WPL seasons so far. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the only other team to lift the trophy. Delhi Capitals (DC), despite reaching the final every season, are still searching for their first title. Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz have yet to reach a final.

Ten days after the tournament wraps up, the Indian women’s team will head to Australia for a full tour, which includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and a Test match from February 15 to March 9.

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