The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 has officially become the most-watched season in the tournament’s short but remarkable history, underlining just how far women’s franchise cricket has come since its debut in 2023. The start of WPL was a great move to popularise women’s cricket in the country where cricket is a religion from that to now it has grown into one of the biggest sporting events in the country, with viewership numbers this year setting a brand-new benchmark.
As per the reports of the official broadcast and digital partner JioStar, the 2026 season recorded unprecedented engagement. Digital reach jumped by 17 per cent compared to 2025, while overall content consumption surged by an impressive 69 per cent. Fans across India and beyond tuned in not just occasionally, but consistently following their favourite teams, players, and storylines throughout the tournament.
One of the biggest growth drivers was Connected TV (CTV), which saw a sharp 37 per cent year-on-year rise. The final Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals alone recorded twice the reach of last season’s final clash between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. On traditional television, the league also hit new highs, with broadcast ratings climbing 29 per cent over the previous edition making this the most successful WPL season on linear TV so far.
In total, fans consumed 34.5 billion minutes of WPL content, an 11 per cent increase from 2025. The grand finale between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals turned into a historic moment, becoming the most watched women’s T20 match ever. Consumption for the final rose 60 per cent year-on-year, digital reach doubled, and TV ratings saw a massive 74 per cent spike.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their second title on February 5, adding another memorable chapter to the league’s journey and Delhi Capitals played their 4th consecutive finals.
Beyond the trophy, the bigger win has been for women’s cricket itself. Since its inaugural season in 2023, the five-team league has steadily built a loyal fan base, proving that women’s franchise cricket is not just a passing trend it’s here to stay.
As Anup Govindan, Head Sales (Sports) of JioStar noted, women’s cricket has moved beyond seasonal spikes into sustained, long-term growth and with global events like the ICC Women’s World Cup on the horizon, the momentum looks stronger than ever. The WPL’s fourth season has shown one thing clearly: the future of women’s cricket is not just bright, it’s booming.
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