Women IPL Auction 2026: The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction promises to be one of the most exciting events in women’s cricket. With franchises strategizing to retain top talent and scout new players, the upcoming auction on November 27, 2025, in New Delhi will shape the future of the league. Fans are eagerly waiting to see which teams secure the marquee players and how squads are rebuilt for the season.
Women IPL Auction 2026 Details
The WPL 2026 auction is designed as a mega auction, allowing franchises to completely revamp their squads.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | November 27, 2025 |
| Venue | New Delhi, India |
| Format | Mega auction with squad reshuffles |
| Total Combined Purse | ₹41.1 crore for all teams |
| Player Slots | 73 slots (including 23 overseas) |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar (online), Star Sports Network (TV) |
| Official Updates | WPLT20.com |
Player Retention Rules for WPL 2026
Franchises can retain up to five players before the auction. Retentions influence purse balance and the number of Right to Match (RTM) cards available.
Retention Rules Overview:
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Max Retentions | 5 players per team |
| Indian Players | Max 3 capped, 2 uncapped |
| Overseas Players | Max 2 per team |
| Minimum Uncapped | At least 1 uncapped player if 5 retained |
| RTM Cards | Varies depending on retentions (0–5) |
Right to Match (RTM) Card Allocation:
- 5 retentions → 0 RTMs
- 4 retentions → 1 RTM
- 3 retentions → 2 RTMs
- 2 retentions → 3 RTMs
- 1 retention → 4 RTMs
- 0 retentions → 5 RTMs
Purse Deduction Based on Retentions:
| Retained Players | Purse Deduction (₹ Cr) | Balance for Auction (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 9.25 | 5.75 |
| 4 | 8.75 | 6.25 |
| 3 | 7.75 | 7.25 |
| 2 | 6.00 | 9.00 |
| 1 | 3.50 | 11.50 |
| 0 | 0 | 15.00 |
Teams can also pay above the slab value for retained players, with the extra deducted from their purse.
Franchise-wise Retentions & Auction Purse
Here’s a snapshot of how teams are entering the WPL 2026 auction:
| Team | Players Retained | Key Retentions | Purse Remaining (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UP Warriorz | 1 | Shweta Sehrawat | 14.50 |
| Gujarat Giants | 2 | Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney | 9.00 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 4 | Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil | 6.15 |
| Delhi Capitals | 5 | Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland, Niki Prasad | 5.70 |
| Mumbai Indians | 5 | Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G. Kamalini | 5.75 |
Key Insights:
- UP Warriorz has the largest auction purse, providing flexibility for big overseas buys.
- Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians have no RTM cards but retained top stars.
- Franchises are balancing marquee players with emerging Indian talent.
Top Players to Watch in WPL 2026 Auction
Some of the biggest names available this season include:
- Deepti Sharma – 2025 Women’s WC ‘Player of the Tournament’
- Laura Wolvaardt – South African batting sensation
- Meg Lanning & Alyssa Healy – Australian legends
- Amelia Kerr – New Zealand all-rounder
- Nadine de Klerk – South African all-rounder
These players are expected to attract high bids and could influence the season significantly.
Auction Strategy Insights
Franchises are approaching the auction strategically:
- Balancing Indian talent and overseas stars for optimal squad performance
- Using RTM cards wisely to re-sign released players at competitive prices
- Managing purse effectively to secure key players without overspending
- Identifying emerging players to create long-term team strength
The WPL 2026 auction will be one of the most competitive in women’s cricket history.
WPL 2026 teams and their respective owners
WPL Team Owner Name Mumbai Indians Reliance Industries / IndiaWin Sports Pvt. Ltd. Delhi Capitals GMR Group & JSW Group Royal Challengers Bengaluru United Spirits / Diageo India Gujarat Giants Adani Group UP Warriorz Capri Global Holdings
WPL 2026 team-wise player list for the auction
| Team | Players Released to Auction 2026 |
|---|---|
| UP Warriorz | Deepti Sharma, Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Anjali Sarvani, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Vrinda Dinesh, Poonam Khemnar, Saima Thakor, Gouher Sultana, Kranti Goud, Arushi Goel, Alana King, Chamari Athapaththu |
| Delhi Capitals | Meg Lanning, Alice Capsey, Jess Jonassen, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Minnu Mani, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepthi, Taniya Bhatia, Nandini Kashyap, Titas Sadhu, Sarah Bryce |
| Gujarat Giants | Laura Wolvaardt, Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin, Danielle Gibson, Harleen Deol, Dayalan Hemalatha, Tanuja Kanwar, Meghna Singh, Kashvee Gautam, Shabnam Shakil, Priya Mishra, Mannat Kashyap, Sayali Sathgare, Simran Shaikh, Bharti Fulmali, Prakashika Naik |
| Mumbai Indians | Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Shabnim Ismail, Nadine de Klerk, Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar, Jintimani Kalita, Sajana Sajeevan, Amandeep Kaur, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Sanskriti Gupta, Saika Ishaque |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Sophie Devine, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Charlie Dean, Kate Cross, Sophie Molineux, Renuka Singh, Sabbineni Meghana, Ekta Bisht, Kanika Ahuja, Nuzhat Parween, Prema Rawat, Joshitha VJ, Raghvi Bisht, Asha Sobhana, Jagravi Pawar |
Notes:
- Teams may use RTM (Right to Match) cards to retain some of these released players during the auction.
- The final official list will be published by BCCI closer to the auction date.
WPL 2026 Tournament Schedule & Venues
The tournament is likely to run from January 7 to February 3, 2026, across Mumbai and Baroda:
| Venue | Matches |
|---|---|
| DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai | Opening matches (Jan 7) |
| Other stadiums in Baroda | Mid-season matches |
| TBD | Playoffs and Final |
The new schedule aligns with ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, allowing fans to enjoy uninterrupted cricket action.
WPL 2026 Live Action – Where to Watch
- Online Streaming: Watch the entire auction and matches live on JioHotstar.
- Television Broadcast: Star Sports Network will telecast live matches across all channels.
- Official Updates: Get real-time scores, auction updates, and player signings on WPLT20.com.
- Social Media Updates: Follow WPL on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook for highlights, behind-the-scenes clips, and announcements.
- Mobile Alerts: Enable notifications via JioHotstar app or Star Sports app to stay updated during live matches and auction bids.
FAQs
1. When is the WPL 2026 mega auction?
- The mega auction will be held on November 27, 2025, in New Delhi, India.
2. How many players can each team retain?
- Teams can retain up to five players using retention and Right to Match (RTM) options.
3. What is a Right to Match (RTM) card?
- RTM allows a team to re-sign a released player by matching the highest auction bid. The number of RTM cards depends on how many players a team retains.
4. How many players are available in the auction?
- A total of 73 slots, including 23 overseas slots, are up for bidding across the five franchises.
5. Where can I watch the WPL 2026 auction live?
- Live streaming is available on JioHotstar, with coverage also on Star Sports Network and updates on WPLT20.com.
6. Which social media platforms provide live updates for WPL 2026?
- Follow WPL on X, Instagram, and Facebook for live scores, auction updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content.
7. How much purse does each team have for the auction?
- Each franchise has a total purse of ₹15 crore, with adjustments based on retained players.
8. Which players are expected to attract high bids in the auction?
- Top names include Deepti Sharma, Laura Wolvaardt, Meg Lanning, Alyssa Healy, Amelia Kerr, and Nadine de Klerk.
9. When will the WPL 2026 season start and end?
- The tournament is expected to run from January 7 to February 3, 2026, with matches in Mumbai and Baroda.
10. How can I get live notifications for matches and auction updates?
- Enable push notifications on JioHotstar or Star Sports apps, or follow WPL social media channels for real-time alerts.
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