The fourth Edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 officially begins today, January 9, 2026, with a high-voltage opening match between defending champions Mumbai Indians and 2024 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The 22-match tournament, featuring five teams in a double round-robin format, will run until February 5, 2026, with the league stage split across two venues: the first 11 matches in Navi Mumbai and the remaining league games plus playoffs at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The top team advances directly to the final on February 5, while the second- and third-placed sides meet in the Eliminator on February 3.

This season follows a major mega-auction in November 2025 that reshuffled squads and introduced fresh leadership across franchises, setting the stage for what promises to be the most competitive WPL yet. Mumbai Indians, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, begin their title defense tonight at 7:30 PM IST against Smriti Mandhana's Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The tournament features marquee clashes, double-headers, and a mix of afternoon and evening games to cater to fans across time zones.

Key Schedule Highlights

• Navi Mumbai Leg (DY Patil Stadium): January 9–17
  • Opener: Jan 9 – Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (7:30 PM IST)
  • Double-header days include Jan 10 and Jan 17.
• Vadodara Leg (BCA Stadium): January 19–February 1
  • Includes marquee matches like RCB vs MI on Republic Day (Jan 26).
• Knockouts (Vadodara):
  • Eliminator: Feb 3 (2nd vs 3rd)
  • Final: Feb 5 (1st vs Eliminator winner)

All matches start at 7:30 PM IST unless specified as 3:00 PM IST for double-headers.

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Telecast and Live Streaming In India, fans can watch every match live on the Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, and Star Sports Select 1) and stream on the JioHotstar app and website following the recent merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar.

The WPL 2026 opener tonight is expected to draw massive viewership, with fans eager to see how the revamped squads perform in the high-stakes T20 format. With star-studded line-ups and intense rivalries, this edition is set to elevate women's cricket in India to new heights. Catch all the action starting at 7:30 PM IST!

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