WPL Franchises Brace for Mega Auction Ahead of 2026 Season

WPL Franchises Brace for Mega Auction Ahead of 2026 Season

The five franchises in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) are preparing for a significant shake-up as the BCCI is set to conduct a mega auction ahead of the 2026 season, ESPNcricinfo has learned. The auction is expected to take place by the end of November, although the official date is yet to be confirmed.

Franchises have been informally notified of the decision but are still waiting on key details from the WPL governing body — including the number of player retentions allowed, the auction purse, retention slabs, and the availability of Right-to-Match (RTM) cards. These decisions are pending finalisation by the WPL committee, whose meeting date is yet to be announced.

The 2026 WPL season is tentatively scheduled for the January-February window, although the exact dates remain unconfirmed.

Divided Opinions on Mega Auction

While the mega auction is expected to refresh team compositions and level the playing field, it has divided opinion among the franchises.

  • Mumbai Indians, the reigning champions, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who won the title in 2024, are among the teams opposed to the idea. Delhi Capitals, runners-up in all three editions so far, also share their concerns.

  • These franchises argue that they have invested heavily in building strong squads and dismantling them just as the WPL gains traction could be “counter-productive”.

However, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz, the two franchises yet to reach a WPL final, are reportedly in favour of the mega auction, viewing it as an opportunity to overhaul their squads and strengthen ahead of 2026.

A WPL official acknowledged the concerns but emphasized the importance of competitive balance.

“It’s crucial that all five teams are strong,” the official said. “Otherwise, an imbalance can hurt the league’s brand. Retentions will still be allowed to help teams maintain a core group.”

Retention Rules Still Under Discussion

Discussions are ongoing about the retention limits. While some franchises have pushed for six to seven retentions, the WPL is likely to cap the number at five players, with further options through RTMs — a mechanism yet to be used in the WPL but familiar from the IPL.

In the IPL 2025 mega auction, each franchise was allowed up to six retentions using a mix of direct retentions and RTMs, including a maximum of five capped players (Indian or overseas) and two uncapped Indian players.

If implemented in the WPL, this model would offer teams some continuity while allowing room for major roster changes — particularly for struggling teams.

WPL’s Rapid Rise and Financial Impact

Since its inception in 2023, the WPL has been hailed as a gamechanger for women's cricket, delivering massive financial and competitive opportunities. In its inaugural season, Mumbai Indians lifted the trophy, followed by RCB in 2024, and Mumbai once again in 2025.

The league’s commercial success is underscored by Viacom18's broadcast rights deal, worth INR 951 crore (USD 116.7 million) for 2023-2027, with a per-match value of INR 7.09 crore (USD 866,000 approx.).

Star India batter Smriti Mandhana remains the league’s most expensive player, purchased for INR 3.2 crore (USD 415,000 approx.) in the 2023 auction — the first player ever sold in WPL history.

As the WPL gears up for its next phase of growth, the upcoming mega auction will be pivotal in shaping team dynamics and sustaining the league’s competitive edge. For both established powerhouses and rebuilding sides, November's auction promises high stakes and high drama.