Cricket fans have reason to cheer. The upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is expected to begin in early January 2026, with provisional start dates around January 6 or January
Historically, WPL seasons have taken place from February to March, but this time the organizers plan to wrap up the tournament by early February.
This earlier scheduling aligns with the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to run from February 7 to March 8, 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
By concluding WPL before the global men’s tournament begins, the boards aim to ensure that both events receive full attention, giving fans the chance to enjoy uninterrupted women’s league cricket followed by one of the sport’s biggest international showcases.
WPL Mega Auction 2026 Date And Time
The auction is happening on 27 November 2025. This is earlier than usual, which means fans will get to see the team selections sooner.
There is also talk about having a mega-auction where teams can buy many new players and make big changes to their squads.
BCCI has not decided where the matches will happen yet. The first WPL was only in Mumbai. The second season had games in Bengaluru and Delhi.
Last year, in 2025, matches were played in four cities: Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai. Fans are waiting to know which cities will host WPL 2026.
The build-up to the next season of women’s cricket is already creating excitement among fans and franchises alike. With the player auction yet to take place, teams are closely analyzing past performances and scouting new talent to strengthen their squads for the WPL League 2026. This upcoming auction is expected to bring plenty of surprises as franchises look to balance experience with young emerging stars ahead of another thrilling season.
Venue of WPL 2026 Mega Auction
The WPL 2026 mega auction is set to be held on 27 November 2025 in New Delhi, marking a major event in the Women’s Premier League calendar.
Reports suggest that the auction will take place at a five‑star hotel, where team representatives, players, and officials will gather to finalize squads for the upcoming season.
This auction is expected to draw significant attention from cricket fans and media alike, as franchises look to build strong lineups and secure top talent for WPL 2026.
Live Streaming and TV Coverage of the WPL Auction
Fans in India can follow the WPL 2026 mega auction through JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, each offering unique features:
JioHotstar (Online Streaming):
- High-quality live streaming on smartphones, tablets, and computers.
- Real-time updates on every bid and player selection.
- Features like pause, rewind, and on-demand replays.
- Access to expert commentary and analysis during the auction.
Star Sports Network (Television):
- Live broadcast across multiple Star Sports channels.
- Expert insights, studio discussions, and commentary throughout the auction.
- Coverage in multiple languages to cater to diverse audiences.
- Pre-auction build-up starting at 2:30 PM IST, followed by the main auction at 3:30 PM IST.
Key Players Entering the WPL 2026 Auction Pool
- A total of 277 players will be in the WPL 2026 auction pool:
- 194 Indian players (52 capped + 142 uncapped)
- 83 overseas players
- There are 73 slots available across all franchises, including 23 slots for overseas players.
Top players likely to attract high bids
- Deepti Sharma (India)
- Renuka Singh (India)
- Sophie Devine (New Zealand)
- Sophie Ecclestone (England)
- Alyssa Healy (Australia)
- Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)
- Meg Lanning (Australia)
- Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
Recap Of WPL 2025 Auction: Key Stats and Top Bids
The WPL 2025 auction was amazing for cricket fans. Teams bought 19 players for ₹9.05 crores in total.
Fans watched with excitement as teams fought to get the best players. The biggest surprise was Simran Shaikh getting ₹1.9 crores from Gujarat Giants.
This made fans very happy because it showed teams care about young Indian players.
- 19 players got new teams (14 Indian, 5 from other countries)
- Teams spent ₹9.05 crores total
- Simran Shaikh got the most money: ₹1.9 crores
Top 5 Highest-Paid Players In WPL 2025 Auction
Apart from the highest bid players, these players earned the most from TATA WPL 2025:
| Player Name | Team | Earnings | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | RCB | ₹3.4 crore | Indian |
| Ashleigh Gardner | Gujarat Giants | ₹3.2 crore | Australian |
| Nat Sciver-Brunt | Mumbai Indians | ₹3.2 crore | English |
| Deepti Sharma | UP Warriorz | ₹2.6 crore | Indian |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | Delhi Capitals | ₹2.2 crore | Indian |
Fans saw that famous players still get the most money. Smriti Mandhana stayed with RCB for ₹3.4 crores.
Teams also paid ₹3.2 crores each for Ashleigh Gardner and Nat Sciver-Brunt. This made fans happy because their favorite star players are still in the league.
Team Retentions and Releases From 2025
Fans noticed that teams tried to keep their good players. Delhi Capitals kept 14 players, including stars like Meg Lanning. This made their fans happy because they did not lose their favorite players.
| Franchise | Retained Players | Key Players Retained | Purse Left (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | 14 | Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt | ₹0.45 crore |
| Delhi Capitals | 15 | Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues | ₹1.65 crore |
| Gujarat Giants | 14 | Deandra Dottin, Simran Shaikh, Beth Mooney | ₹0.40 crore |
| Royal Challengers | 14 | Ashleigh Gardner, Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry | ₹1.75 crore |
| UP Warriorz | 15 | Alyssa Healy, Chamari Athapaththu, Sophie Ecclestone | ₹3.4 crore |
Gujarat Giants let go of 7 players. This meant they wanted big changes. It worked well because they got new stars like Deandra Dottin for ₹1.7 crores.
Rising Stars and Important International Signings From 2025
Mumbai Indians paid ₹1.6 crores for G Kamalini, a very young player. RCB bought Prema Rawat for ₹1.2 crores. This made fans happy because teams believe in young Indian talent.
| Player Name | Player Type | Team | Bid Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simran Shaikh | Indian Uncapped | Gujarat Giants | ₹1.9 crore |
| Deandra Dottin | Overseas | Gujarat Giants | ₹1.7 crore |
| G Kamalini | Indian Youngster | Mumbai Indians | ₹1.6 crore |
Every team got 18 players, 12 Indian and 6 from other countries. Fans liked this because it means every team has both experienced foreign players and good Indian players. This makes games more exciting to watch.
Franchise Strategies and Squad Balance: Past Trends and Future Outlook
More people are watching women’s cricket now than ever before. Fans think the 2026 auction will be even bigger than 2025. They expect teams to pay more money for the best players.
Cricket experts think that if the 2025 players do well, teams will spend even more money next year. This makes fans very excited.
Fans are talking a lot on social media about which players they want their teams to buy. They are making lists of dream players and guessing which teams will spend the most money.
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Conclusion: WPL 2026 Auction Promises Exciting Squads and Cricket for Fans
The Women’s Premier League continues to grow in popularity and excitement each year, and fans play a crucial role in this success. Their support, whether through watching matches or following the auction, directly contributes to the growth of women’s cricket in India and globally.
With the WPL 2026 auction dates officially announced, teams can now retain up to 5 players each. This sets the stage for an intense bidding war as franchises aim to build their strongest squads. Fans can look forward to a season filled with high-quality cricket, star players, and fierce competition, making WPL 2026 an unmissable event for cricket lovers.
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