The Women&rsquo;s Premier League (WPL) 2026 will begin on January 9 with a blockbuster opening match between two-time champions Mumbai Indians and 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the full schedule on Saturday.
WPL chairman Jayesh George earlier confirmed the season&rsquo;s dates and venues, and the official release added more details, including two double-headers during the Navi Mumbai leg and a weekday final on February 5. The summit clash will be held at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, marking a new chapter for the tournament.
The first leg of the league will run in Navi Mumbai from January 9&ndash;17, featuring 11 matches. The remaining 11 fixtures, including the Playoffs, will be held in Vadodara. Gujarat Giants will open the Vadodara leg with a match against RCB, followed by a 2025 final rematch between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians.
The league stage concludes on February 1. The second and third-placed teams will face off in the Eliminator on February 3, while the table-topper will directly enter the final on February 5. The schedule overlaps with a busy cricket period, with the men&rsquo;s Under-19 World Cup beginning February 6 and the men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup starting on February 7.
For the first time, WPL will be held entirely in the January&ndash;February window, avoiding clashes with major global tournaments. Mumbai Indians enter as defending champions, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru remain the only other title-winning side.
Delhi Capitals have finished runners-up three times, while Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are yet to reach a final. India&rsquo;s all-format tour of Australia will follow soon after, beginning February 15.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia noted that the New Delhi mega auction has reshaped squads and raised expectations for the league&rsquo;s most competitive season yet, with emerging Indian talent set to shine alongside established international stars.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

WPL 2026 begins Jan 9 with MI vs RCB; final set for Feb 5 in Vadodara on a weekday

WPL 2026 Opens With MI–RCB Clash in Navi Mumbai

WPL 2026 begins Jan 9 with MI vs RCB; final set for Feb 5 in Vadodara on a weekday

November 29, 2025 | 16:13 IST