The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly shortlisted the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai and the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara as the venues for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. According to early reports, the fourth edition of the tournament is expected to run from January 7 to February 3. The plan is for Navi Mumbai to host the opening leg, while Vadodara will stage the second phase along with the final.
The BCCI has been working behind the scenes to close the venue discussions, but an official communication to the five franchise owners is still pending. A formal announcement is likely to be made at the WPL mega auction in New Delhi on November 27. The venues were shortlisted from a four-city list that included Mumbai, Bengaluru, Baroda, and Lucknow. The shift to January aligns the WPL with the global cricket calendar.
BCCI shifts WPL window and prepares for new season
The WPL 2026 season is shaping up to be different from the previous editions. The first leg will be played at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, which is expected to host the season opener on January 7. The second leg will begin in Vadodara on January 16. As per a Cricbuzz report, Baroda will also host the title clash, making it an important venue for the competition’s closing stages.
The BCCI has not yet released an official notice to the franchises regarding the finalised venues. However, officials are expected to confirm the details during the WPL mega auction later this month. This decision comes after the governing body assessed multiple venue options before narrowing them down to two strong contenders.
The tournament will move back to January this time, unlike the previous season, which was held in February and March. This change is mainly due to the Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled in India and Sri Lanka in early February. To avoid any scheduling conflicts, the BCCI has agreed to a January window for the WPL going forward. This step ensures smooth coordination with other global leagues and the ICC Future Tours Programme.
So far, three teams have lifted the WPL trophy. Mumbai Indians won the title in 2023 and 2025, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru won in 2024. Delhi Capitals ended as runners-up in all three seasons. The retained players’ list for WPL 2026 has already been released. Young cricketers are also excited, with many inspired to represent their states. “Young girls feel motivated to represent their states,” Rana said.
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