In the newly announced Women’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the 2025-29 cycle, the fourth edition of India’s Women’s Premier League (WPL) is scheduled to take place in January 2026, marking a shift from its usual February-March window.
The WPL, which held its first two seasons in February-March and is expected to host its third season in the same window, will be moved to an earlier slot, a decision made by the BCCI to set a distinct window for the tournament. This change has influenced Australia’s summer calendar, with the Women’s Ashes series shifting from its traditional mid-January slot to February-March. Cricket Australia (CA) aimed to avoid overlapping with the WPL, a lucrative competition in which Australian and English players are in high demand, with three franchises currently led by Australian skippers.
In addition to the WPL’s new January-February window, the Women’s Future Tours Programme allocates dedicated slots for other prominent leagues: England’s The Hundred in August and Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League in November, providing clear schedules for top women’s franchise tournaments.
The WPL’s inaugural season in 2023 saw the Mumbai Indians crowned as champions after defeating Delhi Capitals by seven wickets. In the following season, Royal Challengers Bangalore clinched the title, overcoming the defending champions MI in the eliminator and defeating Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the final. Ahead of the upcoming third edition, teams are set to announce their retention and release lists by November 7.
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