Previously, WPL chairman Jayesh George had announced the 2026 season dates and venues on Thursday before the first mega auction began in New Delhi. While unveiling the schedule on Saturday, Secretary Devajit Saikia said the tournament will feature two double-headers in Navi Mumbai, while the final is slated to be played at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on a weekday, February 5, thus adding a fresh dimension to the competition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Navi Mumbai leg will be held from January 9-17, and will host 11 matches before the action shifts to Vadodara for the remaining 11 fixtures, including the Playoffs. Gujarat Giants will open the Vadodara leg with a clash against RCB, followed by a rematch of the 2025 final between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Once the league stage concludes on February 1, the Eliminator, contested by the second and third-placed sides, will be held on February 3, while the table topper advances directly to the final on February 5. It will cap off a crowded time, as the men\u2019s Under-19 World Cup will happen on February 6, while the men\u2019s T20 World Cup starts on February 7.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Staged for the first time in the January-February window, the WPL avoids clashes with major international fixtures after three seasons in the February-March slot. Mumbai Indians enter as defending champions, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the only other side to have lifted the WPL trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Delhi Capitals have finished runners-up thrice, with Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz yet to reach a final. Soon after WPL is over, India\u2019s all-format tour of Australia will begin on February 15 and run until March 9.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWith the mega auction in New Delhi on Thursday reshaping and strengthening squads, WPL 2026 is poised to deliver its most riveting season yet. Young Indian players are set to break through alongside seasoned international performers, promising high-intensity cricket throughout,\u201d said Saikia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
WPL 2026 schedule<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Navi Mumbai leg<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 9: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 10: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 13: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Vadodara leg<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians<\/p>\r\n\r\n
February 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz<\/p>\r\n\r\n
January 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians<\/p>\r\n\r\n
February 5: Final<\/p>\r\n\r\n