WPL 2026 Mega Auction Expected in November as DC, MI & RCB Aim to Retain Core Players
The BCCI is likely to hold the WPL 2026 mega auction in November. Teams like MI, RCB, and DC aim to retain their core players before the next season.
The BCCI is expected to hold the WPL 2026 mega auction at the end of November. The Women’s Premier League, which started two years ago, has never had a mega auction before. Franchises have been informally informed about the board’s plan for this year.
WPL 2026: Mega Auction Likely in November as Teams Plan Retentions
The five WPL teams Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants are waiting for details such as how many players they can retain, whether the Right to Match (RTM) rule will be used, the auction budget, and other rules. These decisions will be finalized in the upcoming WPL committee meeting.
The third season of the WPL is expected to start from January-February 2026, though exact dates are not confirmed yet. RCB, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals are reportedly not in favor of the mega auction. They feel breaking up teams that took years to build could hurt the league.
On the other hand, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz want to refresh their squads and support the idea of a mega auction. A WPL official said it’s important for all teams to stay competitive, and each team will likely be allowed to retain up to five key players. RCB captain Smriti Mandhana, who was the first player bought in the 2023 WPL auction, remains the most expensive player at ₹3.2 crore (around $415,000).
WPL: Changing Women’s Cricket
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| League | Women’s Premier League (WPL) |
| Impact | The WPL has changed women’s cricket by giving players better pay, recognition, and global exposure. |
| Broadcast Rights Holder | Viacom 18 |
| Broadcast Rights Value | ₹951 crore (≈ USD 116.7 million) |
| Rights Duration | 2023–2027 |
| Per-Match Value | ₹7.09 crore (≈ USD 866,000) |
| Most Expensive Player (2023 Auction) | Smriti Mandhana |
| Price | ₹3.2 crore (≈ USD 415,000) |
| Significance | Smriti Mandhana was the first-ever player bought at the inaugural WPL auction in 2023. |
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