The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is gearing up for its biggest shake-up yet, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially confirmed a mega auction to be held between November 25 and 29, 2025. This marks the first-ever mega auction in WPL history, promising dramatic team reshuffles and new opportunities for both Indian and overseas talent.
WPL 2026 Mega Auction – Key Dates
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Retention Deadline | November 5, 2025 | Teams must submit retained player lists |
| Released Players List | November 7, 2025 | Franchises to share released players with BCCI |
| Player Registration Deadline | November 18, 2025 | Players register for auction |
| Final Auction List Announcement | November 20, 2025 | Official auction list revealed |
| Mega Auction Window | November 25–29, 2025 | Expected to be held on November 29 (Saturday) |
The 2026 WPL season itself is likely to begin in early January, as the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place in February–March in India and Sri Lanka.
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Auction Purse and Retention Slabs
Each franchise will enter the auction with a ₹15 crore purse, the same as in the 2025 edition. However, a new retention slab structure has been introduced to balance spending and strategy.
| Player No. | Guideline Retention Price | Purse Deduction (if retained) |
|---|---|---|
| Player 1 | ₹3.5 crore | ₹3.5 crore |
| Player 2 | ₹2.5 crore | ₹6.0 crore total |
| Player 3 | ₹1.75 crore | ₹7.75 crore total |
| Player 4 | ₹1 crore | ₹8.75 crore total |
| Player 5 | ₹0.5 crore | ₹9.25 crore total |
If a team decides to pay a player more than the guideline slab, the extra amount will be deducted from their total auction purse.
Player Retention Rules
Each WPL franchise can retain a maximum of five players before the mega auction. The composition limits are as follows:
- Maximum 3 capped Indian players
- Maximum 2 overseas players
- Maximum 2 uncapped Indian players
If a team uses all five retention slots, at least one must be an uncapped Indian player.
This rule is designed to ensure balance between star power and upcoming domestic talent.
RTM (Right-to-Match) Card Introduced for First Time
A major new feature for WPL 2026 is the introduction of the Right-to-Match (RTM) card—a system already used in the IPL. It allows a franchise to buy back one of its previously released players by matching the highest bid during the auction.
The number of RTMs depends on how many players are retained:
| Players Retained | RTMs Available |
|---|---|
| 5 | 0 |
| 4 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 1 | 4 |
| 0 | 5 |
This means teams with fewer retentions will have greater flexibility to rebuild or recover key players from rival bids.
Franchise Positions: Divided Opinions
The mega auction decision has divided WPL teams:
- Against the Auction: Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Delhi Capitals (DC) opposed the idea, believing it would disrupt the continuity and brand identity they’ve built over three seasons.
- In Favour: Gujarat Giants (GG) and UP Warriorz (UPW) supported the revamp, viewing it as a chance to strengthen their squads and level the competition after inconsistent performances.
The WPL Committee believes this move will ensure competitive balance and sustain the league’s long-term growth.
Financial Outlook & Impact
The WPL continues to rise as one of the world’s richest women’s sporting leagues. The broadcast deal with Viacom18, worth ₹951 crore for 2023–2027, values each match at over ₹7 crore—highlighting the league’s soaring commercial appeal.
Star cricketers like Smriti Mandhana (₹3.2 crore), Nat Sciver-Brunt (₹3.2 crore), and Ashleigh Gardner (₹3.2 crore) have already set records for the highest salaries in women’s cricket, with those numbers expected to climb even higher after this mega auction.
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WPL 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 from WPL 2026
With the introduction of RTM cards, capped and uncapped balance rules, and a massive talent pool, the WPL 2026 mega auction is expected to:
- Create new team identities and rivalries
- Increase domestic player value
- Encourage smarter purse management
- Deliver greater parity between franchises
The auction is shaping up to be a landmark event in women’s cricket, setting the foundation for the next phase of the WPL’s evolution.
The WPL 2026 Mega Auction will redefine the women’s cricket landscape — not just in India but globally. As franchises prepare their retention strategies and scouting lists, fans can expect high drama, record bids, and the emergence of new stars when the gavel drops in November.
