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WPL 2026 Revealed: Navi Mumbai and Vadodara Host Cricket's Biggest Women's Event

The Women's Premier League 2026 is all set to light up Navi Mumbai and Vadodara from January 9 to February 5. Cricket fans can look forward to the opening at DY Patil Stadium and the grand finale at Kotambi Stadium. This timing is perfect as it wraps up just before the Men's T20 World Cup kicks off. Teams are already busy at the mega auction building their squads for what promises to be an exciting season.

Key Points: WPL 2026 Schedule Navi Mumbai Vadodara Venues Announced

  • WPL 2026 runs from January 9 to February 5 across two major cricket venues
  • DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host the tournament opening ceremony
  • Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara gets the prestigious final and knockout matches
  • Tournament concludes just two days before Men's T20 World Cup begins
  • Vadodara's selection considers men's ODI series against New Zealand scheduling
  • Marks women's cricket return after India's 2025 ODI World Cup victory
2 min read

WPL 2026 to take place from Jan 9 to Feb 5 in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara

Women's Premier League 2026 to run from Jan 9-Feb 5 across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, with final at Kotambi Stadium before Men's T20 World Cup.

"The tournament will open at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, while the final is scheduled to be held at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. - WPL Committee"

New Delhi, Nov 27

Navi Mumbai and Vadodara are the venues for the 2026 Women’s Premier League, to be held from January 9 to February 5. The tournament will open at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, while the final is scheduled to be held at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.

The announcement was made by WPL Committee Chairman Jayesh George before the competition’s first-ever mega auction began in New Delhi on Thursday. IANS understands that the WPL Committee had a meeting at the auction venue around noon to finalise the dates and venues, with the full schedule expected to come out soon.

As per the dates announced by George, the fourth WPL final will be held two days before the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup begins in India and Sri Lanka. IANS understands that the rationale behind keeping the second half of WPL 2026 in Vadodara is also due to the Kotambi stadium being set to host the men’s ODI series opener between India and New Zealand on January 11.

Vadodara was one of the four hosts for WPL in 2025 and now sees getting the entire second half as well as the knockout stages, including the all-important title clash. The tournament will also mark the return of women’s cricket in the WPL for the first time after India won the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup on November 2.

For now, the focus of all five teams – two-time champions Mumbai Indians, 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru, three-time runners-up Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants – will be to make a trophy-winning squad for the 2026 season.

At the mega auction, India’s ODI World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur is present at the MI table, alongside Jhulan Goswami, new coach Lisa Keightley, and team owners. DC have a star-studded line-up in head coach Jonathan Batty and director of cricket Sourav Ganguly.

New UPW head coach Abhishek Nayar and mentor Lisa Sthalekar are present, while Pravin Tambe and Michael Klinger are representing GG and RCB has newly appointed assistant coach Anya Shrubsole on the table alongside head coach Malolan Rangarajan.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Why only two venues? WPL should expand to more cities across India. Women's cricket needs wider exposure. Still, good to see the tournament growing year by year.
S
Sarah B
Perfect timing after the World Cup win! The momentum for women's cricket in India is incredible right now. Can't wait to see our champions in action. MI all the way! 💙
A
Arjun K
DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai is a great venue for the opener. Good infrastructure and passionate Mumbai crowd. Hope the ticket prices are reasonable for families.
K
Kavya N
As a Vadodara resident, I'm thrilled! 🏏 Last year's matches here were amazing. The city really supports women's cricket. Hope we get to see Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana in action here.
M
Michael C
Smart scheduling to end before the men's T20 World Cup. This gives women's cricket its own space without being overshadowed. The coaching staff combinations look interesting too.

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