WPL Season 4 to Start in the First Week of January

WPL Season 4 to Start in the First Week of January

The fourth season of the WPL is set to be held in January 2026. Normally, WPL is held in the Feb-March window, but this time, the five-team tournament's scheduling is likely to be advanced to ensure that it's completed before the men's 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in next year.

Women's Premier League (WPL) is all set to start from the first week of January, and this time a little earlier than the previous seasons. The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is gearing up for its fourth season, and for the first time, it will have a dedicated slot in the women’s Future Tours Programme just like the Women’s Big Bash League and The Hundred for Women. The 2026 edition is expected to kick off on January 6 or 8, with the tournament likely to wrap up by early February.

With only 22 matches scheduled, the BCCI is expected to complete the league in about 26–27 days. Previous seasons ran in March and February, but this shift to January gives the WPL its own space in the calendar, avoiding clashes with other events.

The BCCI hasn’t confirmed the host cities yet. Season 1 was held entirely in Mumbai. Season 2 expanded to Bengaluru and Delhi. Last season saw matches played in Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai. It’s still unclear whether the 2026 edition will be spread across even more centres or stick to a few key locations.

One of the biggest talking points is the upcoming player auction. Fans and franchises are waiting to hear whether the BCCI will go for a mega-auction similar to the IPL or stick with a smaller format. A mega-auction could result in major squad reshuffles, while a mini-auction would enable teams to retain their core players. There’s no official word yet, and opinions are split: some want fresh changes, others prefer stability.

Details like the auction date, venue, and salary cap are also yet to be announced, but they’re expected to be revealed soon.