The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has quickly become one of the most exciting events in women’s cricket, showcasing top domestic and international talent. As the league builds momentum, the anticipation around the WPL 2026 auction is soaring. With a potential mega auction slated for November 2025, franchises and fans alike are gearing up for important team changes ahead of the 2026 season.
WPL 2026 Auction Date and Schedule
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to conduct the WPL 2026 mega auction towards the end of November 2025. Although the exact date has not yet been officially announced, multiple credible reports confirm that the auction will happen in November, marking a significant event as the league enters its fourth season.
This auction is crucial as it may be the first mega auction for the WPL, allowing teams to rebuild their squads significantly. The league itself is anticipated to kick off in early January 2026, possibly starting around January 6th or 8th, with matches likely spanning through January and February.
Read Also :- Biggest Victory Margin in IPL History
Highlights of the 2026 Auction: What Sets It Apart from Previous Years
The upcoming auction is being talked about as a Auction, implying substantial squad overhauls across the five franchises. This would be unlike previous seasons where retentions and minor changes dominated. The earlier auction and mega-auction format mean all teams can recalibrate their squads with both seasoned stars and emerging talents.
However, not all franchises are in favor of a mega auction. Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Delhi Capitals (DC) reportedly prefer retaining their core squads, having meticulously built competitive teams over the last three years. In contrast, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are eager for a revamp to enhance competitiveness.
WPL 2026 Franchises and Auction Dynamics
Franchise | Achievements |
---|---|
Mumbai Indians Women | 2-time WPL Champions (2023, 2025) |
Royal Challengers Bangalore Women | WPL 2024 Champions |
Delhi Capitals Women | Consistent playoff contenders |
UP Warriorz Women | Promising domestic talent focus |
Gujarat Giants Women | Known for bold auction moves, international stars |
The WPL 2026 auction will highlight the balance between retention rules, auction purse limits, and the right-to-match (RTM) card options, all of which the WPL committee will finalize in the upcoming meetings. These parameters will define how much change is possible and which players stay or move teams.
Read Also:- IPL 2026 Retained And Released Players List
Expected Auction Details and Salary Cap
While the BCCI has not released official auction purse or salary cap details, it is expected that the purse will be competitive enough to allow franchises to bid aggressively for both domestic and international players. Uncapped domestic players are also likely to feature prominently, as franchises seek to nurture future stars alongside established names.
Player auctions in WPL have seen some eye-popping bids, with Smriti Mandhana remaining the most expensive player so far, purchased for ₹3.4 crore in 2023. Auctions typically include a mix of high-profile international stars and young talents who can change team fortunes.
WPL Historical Overview: From Inception to Present
The WPL started in 2023 with Mumbai Indians clinching the inaugural title. The second season in 2024 saw Royal Challengers Bangalore lift the trophy, while in 2025 Mumbai Indians reclaimed the championship. Each auction has progressively improved the quality and excitement of the league.
Here is a quick recap of top bids from the WPL 2025 auction, showcasing the high stakes involved:
Team | Player | Base Price | Winning Bid (INR) |
---|---|---|---|
Gujarat Giants | Simran Shaikh | ₹10 Lac | ₹1.9 Crore |
Gujarat Giants | Deandra Dottin | ₹50 Lac | ₹1.7 Crore |
Mumbai Indians | G. Kamalini | ₹10 Lac | ₹1.6 Crore |
RCB | Prema Rawat | ₹10 Lac | ₹1.2 Crore |
Delhi Capitals | N. Charani | ₹10 Lac | ₹55 Lac |
Such numbers indicate that the 2026 auction could set new records and create thrilling bidding wars.
Venues and Format for WPL 2026
The 2026 WPL season is expected to continue the trend of expanding venues across India, giving fans across different cities the chance to witness high-quality women’s cricket live. Past seasons have been hosted in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Baroda, and Lucknow.
The format will likely include a round-robin league phase followed by playoffs, with around 22 matches played over roughly 26-27 days.
The WPL 2026 auction is poised to be a landmark event in women’s cricket, with a mega auction likely in November 2025 that will reshape team rosters ahead of a fast-approaching season start in January. As franchises prepare for potentially dramatic changes, fans can look forward to a thrilling build-up and an exciting 2026 WPL season.