BCCI finally dropped the Tata WPL 2026 details after weeks of waiting anxiously. Women’s cricket fans can mark their calendars from January 9 onwards now. The tournament runs for almost a month with matches happening almost daily.
Mumbai Indians enter as defending champions ready to protect their crown fiercely. Royal Challengers Bengaluru face them in the opening match of the Tata WPL 2026. That rivalry kicks things off at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium perfectly.
This got announced during the WPL auction by Jayesh George himself. He’s the WPL Chairperson who confirmed all dates and venues officially. Everyone’s buzzing about the tournament starting earlier than in previous years.
Tata WPL 2026 Schedule Details
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
| Jan 9 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 10 | UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants | Navi Mumbai | 3:30 PM |
| Jan 10 | Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 11 | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 12 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 13 | Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 14 | UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 15 | Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 16 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 17 | UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians | Navi Mumbai | 3:30 PM |
| Jan 17 | Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 19 | Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 20 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 22 | Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 24 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 26 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 27 | Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 29 | UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Jan 30 | Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Feb 01 | Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Feb 03 | Eliminator (TBA vs TBA) | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
| Feb 5 | WPL Final 2026 (TBA vs TBA) | Vadodara | 7:30 PM |
The Tata WPL 2026 starts on January 9 and finishes on February 5. That’s roughly four weeks of non-stop women’s cricket action for everyone. Two cities host matches this year instead of multiple venues everywhere.
Navi Mumbai gets the first leg running from January 9 through January 17. Eleven matches happen at DY Patil Stadium during that initial phase. That venue holds special memories after India’s recent ODI World Cup triumph.
Vadodara takes over hosting duties for the second leg and the playoffs after. Another eleven matches shift to Gujarat including all knockout games. The schedule uses a caravan model moving teams between cities together.
League matches continue until February 1 before playoffs begin immediately after. The next season’s schedule ensures smooth transitions between venues without long gaps. Teams get adequate rest while maintaining tournament momentum perfectly.
Why Dates Changed This Year
The Tata WPL 2026 happens much earlier than previous tournament editions held. BCCI wanted to avoid clashing with the men’s T20 World Cup. That major tournament starts on February 7, so the WPL finishes beforehand smartly.
Scheduling conflicts would’ve split cricket audiences between men’s and women’s games. Starting early gives WPL its own spotlight without competing for viewership numbers. The 2026 schedule genuinely benefits everyone involved in women’s cricket here.
February 5 becomes the final date before attention shifts to the World Cup. Jayesh George emphasised how these dates maximise excitement for both tournaments. Women’s cricket deserves its moment without being overshadowed by other events happening.
The early matches also help players prepare for international commitments afterwards. National teams need their stars available once WPL wraps up completely. Everything’s been planned perfectly considering multiple cricket calendars clashing together in next season.
Playoff Structure Explained
League matches determine which four teams qualify for the playoff spots available. The top team advances straight to the February 5 final in Vadodara. Second and third-placed teams battle in the Eliminator on February 3.
That Eliminator winner faces the fourth playoff qualifier in another knockout match. The schedule gives teams one day of rest between these crucial games. Vadodara hosts all playoff action, creating a festival atmosphere there for the upcoming season.
The final happens at a venue different from the league matches played. This structure builds excitement as the tournament reaches its climax stages. Every match matters because playoff positions remain tight until the very end.
Mumbai Indians want to repeat their championship success from last season obviously. But other franchises strengthened their squads during the auction to challenge them. The Tata WPL 2026 promises the most competitive season yet based on rosters.
