WPL 2026: Begins From January 7 To February 3 In Mumbai And Baroda

The fourth season of the Women's Premier League (WPL) is scheduled to take place from January 7 to February 3, 2026, with Mumbai and Baroda emerging as the two host cities, according to several reports.

Two-City Format: Mumbai and Baroda in Focus

A split-venue model is allegedly being considered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The season premiere is expected to take place at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, where the Indian women's team won their first Women's ODI World Cup.

In the meantime, Kotambi Stadium in Baroda is probably going to host the tournament's later stages, including the highly anticipated final.

According to sources, the Baroda leg may begin on January 16, just after a men's ODI between New Zealand and India is set to take place in Baroda on January 11.

Why January? A Strategic Shift

• The usual February–March schedule of previous seasons is expected to be changed in favor of a January window. This choice seems to be influenced by several factors:
• India and Sri Lanka will co-host the men's T20 World Cup 2026, which gets underway in early February.
• To prevent problems with other franchise leagues and the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), there is growing agreement that January could serve as a permanent WPL window.

Current Status & Next Steps

The BCCI is purportedly having casual conversations with franchise owners about venues, though nothing has been officially announced yet.

An official confirmation of host cities may also take place at the player auction, scheduled for November 27 in New Delhi.

If all goes according to plan, this iteration of the WPL will provide a regional site like Baroda a moment in the spotlight for the season's finale in addition to bringing elite women's cricket back to Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium, a location recently acclaimed by Indian women's cricket players.

 

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