WPL 2026 Set for Mumbai & Baroda Legs; Tentative Schedule Revealed

The fourth season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is likely to be hosted across two cities, with Mumbai and Baroda emerging as the frontrunners to stage the tournament from January 7 to February 3, 2026.

According to reports, the BCCI has zeroed in on this dual-city model for WPL 2026. The season is expected to kick off at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, a venue that recently earned high praise from players during the Women’s World Cup and is considered a favourite among Indian women cricketers.

The tournament’s second half, including the knockout matches and the final, is tentatively scheduled to be held at the Kotambi Stadium in Baroda. This leg is likely to commence around January 16, allowing a smooth transition after a men’s ODI between India and New Zealand is played in the city on January 11.

While the BCCI has not yet made a formal announcement to the franchises, the venues are being discussed informally. An official confirmation is expected during the WPL auction in New Delhi on November 27.

The shift to a January window, a change from the February-March schedule of the previous season, is understood to be a strategic move. This adjustment helps avoid a clash with the men’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to start in the first week of February in India and Sri Lanka. Furthermore, securing a permanent January window aligns the WPL with the global cricket calendar, preventing overlaps with other leagues and international commitments.

The defending champions, Mumbai Indians, will begin their title defence in what promises to be an exciting fourth season, potentially split between the western hubs of Indian cricket.

                                               

Relevant news