The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 kicks off tomorrow, January 9, 2026, promising to be the biggest edition yet. Coming hot on the heels of the recent cricket season, the excitement is at an all-time high with new team dynamics, venue shifts, and a refreshed roster of international stars.
Mumbai Indians to meet Royal Challengers Bengaluru in tournament opener
The season begins with a blockbuster clash between the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) and the popular Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. With both teams having tasted championship success in previous seasons (MI in 2023 & 2025, RCB in 2024), this opener will set the tone for the league.
New venues & format: The tournament will be played across two cities this year:
- Leg 1: Navi Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium)
- Leg 2 & Playoffs: Vadodara (Baroda Cricket Association Stadium) The format remains a double round-robin, where the table-topper goes straight to the Final (Feb 5), while the 2nd and 3rd placed teams play an Eliminator.
Key storylines & leadership shake-ups
Delhi Capitals (DC): After three consecutive runner-up finishes, DC have handed the captaincy reins to Indian star Jemimah Rodrigues to break their “final jinx.”
UP Warriorz (UPW): In a major coup, Australian legend Meg Lanning has moved to UP Warriorz and will lead the squad, replacing Deepti Sharma as skipper.
Gujarat Giants (GG): Still hunting for their first title, they have bolstered their squad with heavy hitters like Sophie Devine and pace sensation Renuka Singh.
Complete schedule of WPL 2026
| Date | Match Details | Timings (IST / GMT) |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jan 9 2026 | 1st Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Sat, Jan 10 2026 | 2nd Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Gujarat Giants Women vs UP Warriorz Women | 3:30 PM IST / 10:00 AM GMT |
| Sat, Jan 10 2026 | 3rd Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Mumbai Indians Women vs Delhi Capitals Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Sun, Jan 11 2026 | 4th Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Delhi Capitals Women vs Gujarat Giants Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Mon, Jan 12 2026 | 5th Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Tue, Jan 13 2026 | 6th Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Mumbai Indians Women vs Gujarat Giants Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Wed, Jan 14 2026 | 7th Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Thu, Jan 15 2026 | 8th Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Mumbai Indians Women vs UP Warriorz Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Fri, Jan 16 2026 | 9th Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Gujarat Giants Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Sat, Jan 17 2026 | 10th Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Mumbai Indians Women vs UP Warriorz Women | 3:30 PM IST / 10:00 AM GMT |
| Sat, Jan 17 2026 | 11th Match, Navi Mumbai – Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Mon, Jan 19 2026 | 12th Match, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi Gujarat Giants Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Tue, Jan 20 2026 | 13th Match, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi Delhi Capitals Women vs Mumbai Indians Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Thu, Jan 22 2026 | 14th Match, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi Gujarat Giants Women vs UP Warriorz Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Sat, Jan 24 2026 | 15th Match, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Mon, Jan 26 2026 | 16th Match, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi Mumbai Indians Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Tue, Jan 27 2026 | 17th Match, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi Gujarat Giants Women vs Delhi Capitals Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Thu, Jan 29 2026 | 18th Match, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs UP Warriorz Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Fri, Jan 30 2026 | 19th Match, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi Gujarat Giants Women vs Mumbai Indians Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Sun, Feb 1 2026 | 20th Match, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Tue, Feb 3 2026 | Eliminator, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi TBC vs TBC | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| Thu, Feb 5 2026 | Final, Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi TBC vs TBC | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
Also READ: WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians’ best playing XI for the Women’s Premier League
Broadcast and Live Streaming details
- India: Star Sports Network; JioHotstar
- Australia: Fox Cricket; Kayo Sports
- USA and Canada: Sling TV – Willow TV [Sign up here]
- UK: Sky Sports Cricket
- South Africa and Sub-Saharan regions: SuperSport
- New Zealand: Sky Sports 1
Also READ: WPL 2026: DC’s best playing XI for the Women’s Premier League
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.
