The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is set to break new ground, with the tournament final scheduled on a weekday for the first time. The summit clash will be played on Thursday, February 5, marking a notable shift from the weekend finals seen in previous editions.
The fourth season of the WPL will begin on January 9 and run for 28 days, featuring two Saturday double-headers and a carefully planned calendar that avoids clashes with major international fixtures.
Two Venues, Two Phases: Navi Mumbai and Vadodara
WPL 2026 will be hosted across 2 venues — DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, and Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
- The first 11 matches, including both double-headers, will be played at DY Patil Stadium.
- The remaining 11 games, including the Eliminator (February 3) and the Final (February 5), will be staged in Vadodara.
DY Patil Stadium recently hosted the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup final, where India lifted the trophy in November, adding further prestige to the opening leg of the tournament.
Evening Matches and Double-Headers Explained
Most WPL 2026 matches will be evening fixtures, with only the early games on double-header Saturdays starting in the afternoon. Both double-headers are scheduled during the Navi Mumbai leg, offering fans a full day of women’s cricket on Saturdays.
The official dates and venues were confirmed by WPL chairman Jayesh George on Thursday, coinciding with the WPL 2026 auction.
New January–February Window for the First Time
Another major change is the tournament window. WPL 2026 will be the first edition played in January–February, moving away from its traditional February–March slot.
This shift ensures:
- No overlap with the IPL
- No clash with major international women’s fixtures
The scheduling also aligns neatly with a packed global calendar. The Men’s Under-19 World Cup final takes place on February 6, just a day after the WPL final, while the Men’s T20 World Cup begins on February 7.
Teams to Watch in WPL 2026
- Mumbai Indians (MI) enter the season as defending champions and remain the most successful franchise with two titles in three seasons.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the only other team to have lifted the trophy.
- Delhi Capitals (DC) have finished runners-up in all three editions so far.
- Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz will once again look to break their title-round drought.
What’s Next After WPL 2026?
Just ten days after the WPL final, the Indian women’s team will embark on a full tour of Australia, featuring:
- 3 T20Is
- 3 ODIs
- 1 Test
The tour runs from February 15 to March 9, making WPL 2026 a crucial preparation platform for several Indian and overseas stars.
WPL 2026 Full Schedule
Navi Mumbai Leg (DY Patil Stadium)
- Jan 9: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Jan 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants
- Jan 10: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals
- Jan 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants
- Jan 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz
- Jan 13: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants
- Jan 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals
- Jan 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz
- Jan 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants
- Jan 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians
- Jan 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Vadodara Leg (Kotambi Stadium)
- Jan 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Jan 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians
- Jan 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz
- Jan 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals
- Jan 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians
- Jan 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals
- Jan 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Jan 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians
- Feb 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz
- Feb 3: Eliminator
- Feb 5: Final
Final Take
With a weekday final, double-headers, a new window, and zero international clashes, WPL 2026 looks set to deliver its most streamlined and fan-friendly season yet. As women’s cricket continues to grow, the league’s evolving structure reflects its rising stature on the global stage.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at The100Sports.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.
