The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is heading for a major reshuffle, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deciding to conduct a mega auction ahead of the 2026 season. The five franchises have been informed informally, with the auction expected to take place by the end of November 2025.
The move signals a fresh start for the WPL, launched in 2023 and now recognised as the most lucrative event in women’s cricket. Since its inception, the league has witnessed Mumbai Indians lift the inaugural title, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) win in 2024, Mumbai Indians win their 2nd in 2025 and Delhi Capitals finish as runners-up in all three seasons.
The 2026 edition is expected to take place in the January–February window, though the official dates are yet to be announced.
While the franchises have been briefed about the auction, several key parameters are still to be confirmed. Teams await clarity on the number of retentions allowed, the auction purse, retention slabs, and the Right-to-Match (RTM) card system. These details will be finalised by the WPL committee, though a meeting date has not yet been set.
There is a clear divide among the franchises regarding the mega auction. Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals are reportedly against the move, arguing that dismantling their well-balanced squads after three seasons of planning and development could disrupt the momentum they have built and affect the growing WPL brand.
On the other hand, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz, who have not reached a final yet, support the decision, seeing it as a chance to restructure their teams and close the performance gap. The logic behind the auction is to ensure all five sides remain competitive and the league continues to progress with balance and parity.
Franchises are pushing for the ability to retain six or seven players, but the WPL management may allow up to five. The retention model will also define how many RTMs can be used and the composition of capped and uncapped players each team can hold.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, teams were permitted to retain a maximum of six players through a combination of retention and RTM — including up to five capped players (Indian or overseas) and two uncapped Indian players. The RTM option, which allows a franchise to buy back a player by matching the highest bid, has never been used in WPL auctions so far.
The WPL’s growth has been driven by strong financial backing. In 2023, Viacom 18 acquired the league’s broadcast rights for INR 951 crore. for the 2023–2027 cycle, with each match valued at INR 7.09 crore.
The financial rewards have significantly uplifted the women’s game. Smriti Mandhana, who became the first player to be bought in the inaugural 2023 auction, remains the most expensive signing at INR 3.2 crore, underlining the WPL’s role in elevating player value and visibility.
As preparations begin for the 2026 season, the mega auction stands as a turning point for the WPL. Whether it reinforces balance across the five franchises or reshapes established cores, the move will mark a critical chapter in the league’s evolution — setting the tone for the next era of women’s franchise cricket in India.
(Inputs sourced from ESPN Cricinfo)
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