The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 officially kicked off on January 9, 2026, with a breathtaking opening ceremony at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Blending Bollywood glamour with the fierce ambition of women’s sport, the event set the stage for the opening blockbuster between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The ceremony followed the theme of “Confidence, Courage, and the Unstoppable Rise of Women in Sport,” reflecting the league’s massive growth after India’s recent ODI World Cup success. Highlighting the evening were star-studded performances from Yo Yo Honey Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez, and an inspiring narrative by Harnaaz Sandhu, creating a cultural spectacle that went far beyond the boundary ropes. As the lights dimmed and the entertainment concluded, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to field, citing the dew factor as the first ball of the 2026 season was bowled at 7:40 PM.
WPL 2026 opening ceremony: ‘Let the game begin’- Harnaaz Sandhu’s voice of empowerment
IIn a unique departure from purely musical acts, former Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu opened the proceedings with a powerful spoken-word segment that served as the “voice” of the tournament. Walking onto a specially designed pedestal at the center of the stadium, her words set an emotional tone for the season, describing the TATA WPL as a testament to the power of a woman’s dreams. Highlighting the league’s massive influence on the next generation, she emphasized that the players were competing for millions of girls watching at home, proving that their ambitions truly have no limits. She celebrated this as the era of confidence and courage, noting that the rise of women in sport has become unstoppable. Her performance culminated in a spirited Punjabi call to action, “Chakk de fatte sherniyan!”, which acted as the cue for a massive pyrotechnic display that transitioned the evening into the high-energy dance segments.
Here’s the video:
WPL 2026 opening ceremony: Jacqueline Fernandez’s Juventus style and Bollywood beats
Immediately following the narrative, Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez took center stage, captivating the audience with a high-energy dance act themed around female resilience. In a surprising and viral fashion choice, Jacqueline performed her famous hits, including the track ‘Yaar Naa Miley’ from the movie Kick, while wearing an official Juventus (Italian football club) jersey. This cross-sport aesthetic was a deliberate nod to the global influence of women’s athletics and the merging of international sport with Indian cinema. Surrounded by a team of dancers, she executed a flawless “Confidence and Courage” segment that kept the DY Patil crowd on their feet. Her performance underscored the WPL’s position as a premier entertainment property, bridging the gap between mainstream pop culture and elite-level professional cricket.
Here’s the video:
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Yo Yo Honey Singh and the captains: An electrifying finale to WPL 2026 opening ceremony
The energy reached its peak when rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh made a grand entrance, starting his set seated right between the two rival captains, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, in the dugout. He kicked off his performance with his new track ‘Millionaire’, directly featuring the two iconic leaders, before moving to the main stage to belt out a mix of latest hits and timeless classics like ‘Blue Eyes’ and ‘Lungi Dance’. Dressed in an all-black outfit, Honey Singh’s performance was described as “electrifying” as he engaged with the wild crowd and moved through the arena with full energy. The ceremony reached its conclusion as all three performers, Harnaaz, Jacqueline, and Honey Singh, came together on stage for a final bow as the curtain fell, making way for the toss where Mandhana chose to field first under the humid Navi Mumbai lights.
Here’s the video:
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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