As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 reaches its early stages in Navi Mumbai, cricket fans could face the unusual situation of watching live matches without spectators in the stadium. With municipal corporation elections scheduled in Navi Mumbai on January 15, local authorities have raised security concerns that may force the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host some of this week’s matches behind closed doors.
The matches in question include Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz on January 14 and Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz on January 15, both slated to be held at the DY Patil Stadium. Under normal circumstances, these fixtures would draw enthusiastic home crowds following an action-packed start to the WPL season. However, police officials have informed the BCCI that they are unlikely to be able to provide sufficient security resources on these dates due to their deployment for civic election duties, leaving administrators to reassess spectator arrangements.
“We may have to host those two matches (on January 14 and 15) without any crowd. We are contemplating that idea after the police intimation, but as of now, no decision has been taken,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, acknowledging the unique challenge posed by the overlap of high-profile cricket and local elections.
This situation marks an uncommon overlap between a major sporting event and civic duties, where the priority of public safety could outweigh the excitement of an in-stadium crowd. Police constraints have already impacted the availability of tickets for WPL matches on January 14, 15 and 16, suggesting that the decision could extend beyond just election day itself.
Cricket administrators and fans alike have been watching developments closely since the election dates were announced in mid-December, after the WPL schedule had been officially released on November 29, 2025. The compressed timeline between the announcement and the election date has limited the BCCI’s ability to reorganize logistics or shift marquee fixtures to alternative venues.
The possibility of matches without fans comes as the WPL continues to grow in popularity and competitive intensity. High-profile teams such as Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are battling for early momentum in the 2026 season. When the league kicked off on January 9, the opening game between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru drew a spirited crowd, a reminder of how much local supporters value women’s cricket.
If the closed-door plan goes ahead, it would represent a rare occurrence in the WPL’s history where spectator access is restricted not by health or weather concerns, but by civic obligations that compete for the same security infrastructure. For the teams involved, playing without a cheering home crowd will be a stark contrast to what fans have come to expect during the early rounds. For players accustomed to roaring support, particularly at a strong women’s cricket market like Navi Mumbai, the absence of spectators could alter the atmosphere dramatically.
Despite the uncertainty over crowd access, the rest of the WPL 2026 schedule remains on track. After the Navi Mumbai leg concludes, likely with a crowd-friendly double header on January 17. The tournament is set to shift to Vadodara, Gujarat, where the remaining fixtures, playoffs and the February 5 final will take place.
For now, the BCCI and local authorities continue their discussions, balancing civic responsibilities with the needs of a fast-growing women’s cricket league. And while fans may miss the experience of watching live matches from the stands on January 14 and 15, the league is expected to return to normal spectator access once the election period concludes.
(Inputs sourced from Sportstar)
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