The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is all set for its first mega auction, promising excitement for fans and franchises alike. After India’s historic Women’s World Cup 2025 triumph, the focus now turns to the WPL — where top domestic and international stars will go under the hammer.
This auction will define the balance and strategy of all five teams for the next cycle, making it one of the most anticipated cricket events of the year.
WPL 2026 Auction Date, Time & Venue
- Auction Dates: November 26–27, 2025
- Time: Starts at 10:00 AM (IST)
- Venue: New Delhi, India
While officially billed as a “mega auction,” the event is expected to be completed within a day due to the smaller structure of the league. Each team will finalize their squads for the 2026 season during this two-day window.
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WPL 2026 Purse & Budget Details
Each franchise has been allotted a ₹15 Crore purse for the auction. However, player retentions will reduce the available amount depending on how many players are kept.
| Retention Count | Total Deduction (₹ Cr) | Remaining Purse (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 player | 3.5 | 11.5 |
| 2 players | 6.0 | 9.0 |
| 3 players | 7.75 | 7.25 |
| 4 players | 8.75 | 6.25 |
| 5 players | 9.25 | 5.75 |
The remaining purse will be used during the auction to buy new players.
WPL 2026 Retention Rules
Franchises have been instructed to submit their final retention lists by November 5, 2025.
Each team can retain up to five players, with the following composition:
| Category | Rule |
|---|---|
| Maximum Retentions | 5 players |
| Indian Capped Players | Up to 3 |
| Overseas Players | Up to 2 |
| Uncapped Indian Players | Up to 2 |
| Condition for 5 Retentions | At least one uncapped Indian player must be included |
This rule ensures a balance between international experience and domestic opportunities.
Retention Fee Structure
The BCCI has introduced fixed salary cap slabs for retained players. While teams can pay more based on negotiations, the official retention deductions from the purse remain standard:
| Retention Slot | Deduction (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|
| 1st Retention | 3.5 |
| 2nd Retention | 2.5 |
| 3rd Retention | 1.75 |
| 4th Retention | 1.0 |
| 5th Retention | 0.5 |
These slabs maintain financial fairness and ensure competitive balance across teams.
Right-to-Match (RTM) Cards
For the first time in WPL history, teams will have access to Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, allowing franchises to buy back players who were part of their previous squad.
- Each team can have up to 5 RTM cards.
- For every retained player, one RTM card will be deducted.
| Retained Players | RTM Cards Available |
|---|---|
| 0 | 5 |
| 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 1 |
| 5 | 0 |
This adds a strategic twist to the auction, as teams must choose between securing top stars before the auction or saving RTMs for key buy-backs.
WPL 2026 Auction Registration & Timeline
| Stage | Deadline / Date |
|---|---|
| Retention list submission | November 5, 2025 |
| Player registration closing | November 18, 2025 |
| Final auction player list release | November 20, 2025 |
| WPL 2026 Mega Auction | November 26–27, 2025 |
The auction pool will include a mix of retained stars, released players, and new entrants, both from India and overseas.
WPL 2026 Salary Cap System
The salary deductions mentioned are for purse calculation only, meaning actual player payments may vary. A franchise may offer higher salaries to certain players, but the guideline retention value will still be used to compute the salary cap.
This helps maintain parity across teams while allowing flexibility for player negotiations.
Read more: IPL 2026 Trade: Players List, Transfers, Rumours, Window Rules & Deadlines
Auction Format & Expectations
Despite being a mega auction, the event is expected to be concise due to:
- Only five teams participating.
- Each team having a maximum squad size of 18 players.
- Around 90 players expected to go under the hammer.
Officials believe the auction process will finish within a day, although two days are kept as buffer.
WPL Title So Far: A Quick Recap
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals | Mumbai |
| 2024 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals | Bengaluru |
| 2025 | Mumbai Indians | Delhi Capitals | Multiple Cities |
The WPL has seen MI dominate with two titles, RCB’s redemption in 2024, and DC’s consistent finals appearances—making the 2026 edition one of the most anticipated yet.
What to Expect in WPL 2026
- Mega rebuilds: Teams will reshape squads with both experience and youth.
- Rising stars: Domestic players who impressed in the 2025 World Cup will attract high bids.
- Foreign competition: Overseas stars like Gardner, Sciver-Brunt, and Perry could trigger bidding wars.
- Strategic moves: RTM cards will make the auction more tactical and unpredictable.
The 2026 season is also expected to begin in early January (Jan 6–8), slightly earlier than previous years, to avoid overlap with the men’s T20 World Cup.
WPL 2026 Mega Auction Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Auction Date | November 26–27, 2025 |
| Venue | New Delhi |
| Total Purse | ₹15 Crore per team |
| Max Retentions | 5 players |
| RTM Cards | Up to 5 (based on retention count) |
| Player Registration Deadline | November 18, 2025 |
| Final Player List | November 20, 2025 |
| Auction Duration | Likely one day |
| Season Start | Early January 2026 |
Conclusion
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The WPL 2026 mega auction marks the beginning of a new era in women’s franchise cricket. With increased purse value, new RTM rules, and strong competition among five elite teams, this event promises a mix of strategy, excitement, and opportunity for emerging stars.
As franchises prepare their retentions and scouting reports, fans can look forward to witnessing how India’s biggest women’s cricket league evolves ahead of the 2026 season.
