WPL 2026 Mega Auction: Full breakdown of retention rules, purse limit, and schedule
WPL 2026 Retentions and Mega Auction: Teams can retain up to five players, including three Indians and two overseas, from a ₹15 crore purse. Check full retention rules, RTM card details, salary slabs, and auction date (November 27) ahead of the new WPL season.
With the Women’s World Cup 2025 ending in a thrilling win for India, the spotlight now shifts to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, and the buzz is all about the retentions deadline and the upcoming mega auction. The deadline day has arrived, and all five franchises are set to make some crucial decisions before the auction scheduled later this month.
After three exciting seasons, the tournament heads into its first major reshuffle, with each side allowed to retain a limited number of players ahead of the 2026 edition. Even though the number of teams remains the same, a mini reset is expected as franchises prepare to rebuild and balance their squads within the salary cap.
WPL 2026 Retention Rules and Deadline
As per the official communication from the WPL Governing Council, the deadline for teams to submit their retention lists is November 5, 2025. The mega auction will follow on November 27 in New Delhi.
Each team has been allotted a ₹15 crore purse, and franchises can retain a maximum of five players. The retention combination has also been defined clearly to ensure balance between Indian and overseas talent.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Purse | ₹15 Crore |
| Maximum Retentions | Up to 5 players |
| Capped Indian Players | Up to 3 |
| Overseas Players | Up to 2 |
| Uncapped Indian Players | Up to 2 (at least 1 mandatory if all 5 are retained) |
| Right-to-Match (RTM) Cards | Available if fewer than 5 players are retained |
| Retention Deadline | November 5, 2025 |
| Auction Date | November 27, 2025 |
| Auction Venue | New Delhi |
Salary Structure and Purse Deductions
The Women’s Premier League follows a structured retention model where the total purse deduction increases with each additional player retained.
| No. of Players Retained | Deduction Amount (₹ Crore) | Remaining Purse (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.50 | 11.50 |
| 2 | 6.00 | 9.00 |
| 3 | 7.75 | 7.25 |
| 4 | 8.75 | 6.25 |
| 5 | 9.25 | 5.75 |
This means that if a team retains all five players, they will have ₹5.75 crore left for the auction. Teams opting for fewer retentions will have more funds and additional Right-to-Match cards to bring back released players.
Right-to-Match (RTM) Explained
The RTM card gives franchises the power to buy back their previously released players by matching the highest bid during the auction. However, the availability of RTMs depends on how many players are retained before the auction.
| Retained Players | RTM Cards Available |
|---|---|
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 1 |
| 5 | None |
This strategy allows teams to balance squad loyalty and flexibility, they can release expensive players and attempt to buy them back at a lower price.
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Possible Retention Scenarios
Franchises like Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, who have dominated the first three seasons, face some tough calls. Both sides have a pool of top-tier players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Meg Lanning, and Shafali Verma, and may have to let go of key overseas stars to manage purse value.
Meanwhile, teams like Gujarat Giants are expected to make a fresh start, likely retaining just one or two names such as Ashleigh Gardner or Phoebe Litchfield.
WPL 2026 Schedule and Format
According to reports from The Times of India, the WPL 2026 season is likely to begin around January 6 or 8, earlier than previous editions. The competition will continue in its five-team round-robin format, followed by playoffs and the final.
| Tournament Start Date | January 6 or 8, 2026 (tentative) |
|---|---|
| Number of Teams | 5 |
| Format | Round-robin + Playoffs |
| Number of Matches | Around 22 |
| Duration | 4–5 weeks |
Live Telecast and Streaming Details
According to JioTV.com, the WPL 2026 Retention Deadline Show will be broadcast live on Star Sports 2 (Hindi) at 5 PM IST. The event is also expected to be streamed on JioHotstar.
Key Dates to Remember
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Retention Deadline | November 5, 2025 |
| Auction | November 27, 2025 |
| Tournament Start | Early January 2026 |
In Summary
The WPL 2026 mega auction is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events in women’s cricket. With stricter retention limits, new RTM rules, and a packed talent pool post the World Cup, the bidding war in New Delhi is expected to be intense.
Franchises will have to strike the perfect balance between retaining proven stars and freeing up enough purse to rebuild for the long run. As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on the retention lists, and the stars who might just go under the hammer again.
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