New Delhi: The fifth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will be held from January 14 to February 7, 2027, with the player auction scheduled for October 28, 2026, in Kochi.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the dates on Wednesday but did not reveal the host cities for the upcoming tournament. The five participating franchises will begin preparing their squads for the new season, with the player retention deadline set for September 28.
Teams will have the opportunity to retain players from their existing squads before entering the auction to strengthen their combinations for the competition.
The WPL has emerged as a major platform for women’s cricket, bringing together leading international and Indian players while providing opportunities for emerging talent to compete at the highest level. Since its launch in 2023, the tournament has played an important role in expanding the reach and popularity of women’s T20 cricket.
In the 2026 edition, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Smriti Mandhana, won their second WPL title. The tournament was staged in Navi Mumbai and Baroda, with RCB adding another championship to their growing record in the competition.
Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have each won two WPL titles since the league began, establishing themselves as the most successful teams in the tournament’s history.
With the 2027 season approaching, the retention deadline and auction will be crucial in determining how the five franchises shape their squads. Teams will look to retain key performers while identifying players who can strengthen their batting, bowling and all round capabilities.
The announcement of the tournament dates provides a clear timeline for franchises as they prepare for another season of high profile women’s T20 cricket.
