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Women’s cricket in India is seriously getting a load of attention. After the recent World Cup win, more people have developed interest in the game and every time there is a match, you’re sure to see stadiums filled to the brim. Even in schoolyards, kids are trying to bat like Harmanpreet or bowl like Deepti.
In the midst of this buzz comes the WPL 2026, starting 9 January 2026, and from every point, it’s already looking like it’s going to be the most important season so far. Five strong WPL teams. A fresh mega auction behind them. And a schedule built to give fans evening-after-evening drama.
Fans also want entertainment in between games. Some scroll clips, some dive into fantasy contests, and some try their luck with live games like Crazy Time, the online casino game that mixes spins, multipliers, and a bit of chaos. For plenty of cricket lovers, engaging this title is like their personal “halftime show” while they wait for the next WPL live clash to start.
WPL 2026 Schedule Overview: How the Season Will Unfold
The Women’s Premier League 2026 kicks off from January 9 to February 5, 2026. The matches will take place in two cities: Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. The league will consist of the league phase, which hosts a total of 22 matches, the Eliminator, and then the Final on February the 5th. Five teams would be involved in the tournament, and each of them would compete against each where the top three would proceed to the playoffs.
The opening leg will have 11 games, and will be played in Navi Mumbai between January 9 and January 17. Then, there would be a short break before the rest of the games are moved to Vadodara from January 19 to February 1. Because of the short window the tournament has, it means teams would likely have no time between fixtures to rest. If any team is going to be anywhere significant on the table, they just have to get to business early enough. Once the league phase is done, the Eliminator will kick in on February 3, followed by the Final on February 5.
Key Dates Every Fan Should Mark on Their Calendar
The women’s Premier League schedule is tight, but a few days already look huge on paper. These are the ones Indian fans will circle first in 2026:
9 January 2026 – Season opener
Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. These two are the only teams that have ever lifted the WPL trophy. A clash between them is not something anyone would want to miss.
10 January 2026 – First double-header
UP Warriorz Women vs Gujarat Giants Women (afternoon) and Mumbai Indians Women vs Delhi Capitals Women (evening), both in Navi Mumbai.
17 January 2026 – Second double-header and end of Navi Mumbai leg
UP Warriorz Women vs Mumbai Indians Women (afternoon) and Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (evening). These matches may already shake up the WPL points table 2026.
20 January 2026 – Delhi Capitals Women vs Mumbai Indians Women in Vadodara
This is going to be a repeat of the 2025 final but in a fresh city and with new squads.
3 February 2026 – Eliminator
This will be between the second vs third team on the table. It’s going to be just a single game, and the winner will go straight to the final while the loser goes home.
5 February 2026 – WPL 2026 Final
The table-topper faces the Eliminator winner in Vadodara. This is where all the early jostling, injury management, and squad rotation finally make sense.
Across these dates, interest in WPL live updates, score apps, and quick highlights will explode. Evening slots mean families watching together after work, and social feeds full of live reactions from Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
Must-Watch Early Matches: Where the Season’s Storylines Begin
All the matches in the tournament are worth following, but there are some that catch fans’ attention more. Below are some early matches you just can’t afford to miss:
Mumbai Indians Women in the Opener
Defending champions Mumbai Indians Women open WPL 2026 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women on 9 January at DY Patil.
MI come in with a core that knows how to win tight games: Harmanpreet Kaur’s calm finishing, Nat Sciver-Brunt’s all-round control, and Amelia Kerr’s utility with both bat and ball. Add a strong bowling group and you get a side that rarely panics, even when the asking rate climbs. If they start strong, they could sit near the top of the WPL points table from week one. Follow this with your bookmaker and make the right choice.
DCW vs GGW: A Tactical Battle in the Making
On 11 January, Delhi Capitals Women vs Gujarat Giants Women will bring an early tactical battle.
- DCW presently have top players in their lineup, including the likes of Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and overseas stars like Meg Lanning and Marizanne Kapp. These players are standing solidly behind the team, providing power plus stability.
- Gujarat Giants Women is absolutely relying on Ashleigh Gardner’s all-round quality. Beth Mooney and some new additions like Sophie Devine and Renuka Singh are also there to bring more balance to the team.
This sort of matchup tells us how teams will approach powerplays in WPL 2026: will DC go ultra-aggressive from ball one again, or will they manage tempo better in tricky chases?
RCBW and UPW: Teams with the Most to Prove
Both Royal Challengers Women (RCBW) and UP Warriorz Women walk into the tournament to prove a point. RCBW, after finally getting the chance to win the trophy in 2024, lost it again to MI in 2025. UPW have been good, but not good enough, just circling around the middle of the table.
Their first meeting on 12 January in Navi Mumbai, and then again on 29 January in Vadodara, will carry a lot of weight.
- RCBW’s hopes again will rest on Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry and Sophie Ecclestone. These players would be bringing their power hitting, and their all-round impact behind the team
- UP Warriorz Women would be relying on Deepti Sharma’s control, Meg Lanning’s big-match temperament, and a set of hitters like Phoebe Litchfield and Deandra Dottin.
Rivalry Matches and High-Stakes Clashes to Look Forward To
If we are to take anything from past occurrences, it’s safe to conclude some fixtures will bring extra fight and attention. Here, we focus on some standout clashes fans would want to pay close attention to, even before the first ball is bowled.
- MIW vs DCW: The rivalry between these two is premium. has turned into the premium rivalry in WPL. MI has defeated Delhi Capitals Women twice already – in the inaugural final and then again in the 2025 title clash. Now, they will be meeting twice in the tournament next year: 10 January in Navi Mumbai and 20 January in Vadodara. Those games pack some weights – they are going to likely decide who finishes first on the points table.
- RCBW vs UP Warriorz Women: This clash brings two talented sides together. These two are not only good; they are also pretty unpredictable. Talk about superb firepower needed to thrash any opponents, these two seem not to be lacking in that. So, whenever they clash, their meeting is always like a mini-playoff.
- Gujarat Giants Women vs the big three (MIW, DCW, RCBW): why the two both look like underdogs, their stories feel so unique. For many seasons, GGW have struggled to get to the final. But after the recent mega auction, they seem to now have all it takes to be a pain in the ass of even bigger brands. They will be facing MI on 13 and 30 January, with other matches lined up for them. Fans expect these clashes will only bring the best out of the squad.
Players to Watch in Early WPL 2026 Fixtures
Every year, the tournament produces extraordinary players. But even before the event begins, there are some players already catching the attention of the fans because of their solid performance over the years.
At Mumbai Indians Women, we would likely be looking forward to the likes of Harmanpreet Kaur. She remains the center focus when it comes to chases, and Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr will also be there to give the side a serious all-round spine.
Away from the aforementioned, these stars will also likely have some say:
- Smriti Mandhana
- Richa Ghosh
- Ellyse Perry
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Lauren Bell
- Ashleigh Gardner
- Sophie Devine
- Renuka Singh
Conclusion: Why WPL 2026 Feels Bigger Than Ever
The WPL 2026 is yet another major event to look up to in the cricket world. The tournament will begin by January 9, but it’s already popping up in conversations across India. With the kind of squad each team brings to the tournament this year, it’s obvious it’s going to be one of the best we have seen so far.
For fans in India, this goes beyond just another T20 league. It is a roadmap to where women’s cricket is going to be in the near future. Think about sharper tactics, fuller stands, stronger brands, and many more. And that is why the WPL 2026 feels special.
