WPL 2026 Mega Auction Likely in November as DC, MI & RCB Push to Retain Core Players
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to hold the mega auction for the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2026) at the end of November. The league, which began two years ago, has not had a mega auction yet. According to reports, the franchises have been informally told about the board’s plan to conduct it this year.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the five WPL teams, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants, are waiting for the BCCI to confirm details like how many players they can keep, whether the Right to Match (RTM) rule will apply, the auction purse, and other rules. These decisions will be finalized in the upcoming WPL committee meeting.
BCCI likely to hold WPL 2026 mega auction in November
The third season of the WPL is likely to be held in January-February 2026, though the exact dates are not decided yet. Inaugural champions RCB, defending champions MI and Delhi Capitals are reportedly against the mega-auction.
All three teams feel that dismantling a team that has taken three years to put together at a time when WPL is getting established could be counter productive. On the other hand, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are eager to revamp their squads and back the idea of having a mega auction.
A WPL official told the publication that it’s important for all five teams to stay strong, as any imbalance could hurt the league’s image. The official added that teams will be allowed to keep their main players, with each side likely permitted to retain up to five players. RCB captain Smrit Mandhana, the first player to be bought at the inaugural WPL auction (2023), remains the most expensive buy at Rs 3.2 cr ($415,000 approx.).
WPL: A Gamechanger in Women’s Cricket
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| League | Women’s Premier League (WPL) |
| Impact | Seen as a gamechanger in women’s cricket, especially due to monetary benefits for players |
| Broadcast Rights Buyer | Viacom 18 |
| Broadcast Rights Value | INR 951 crore (≈ USD 116.7 million) |
| Rights Period | 2023–2027 |
| Per-Match Value | INR 7.09 crore (≈ USD 866,000) |
| Most Expensive Player (2023 Auction) | Smriti Mandhana |
| Price | INR 3.2 crore (≈ USD 415,000) |
| Significance | First-ever player bought at the inaugural WPL auction (2023) |