WPL 2027 to begin January 14, player auction set for October 28 in Kochi

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced the key dates for the 2027 Women’s Premier League (WPL), with the fifth edition of the tournament scheduled to be played from January 14 to February 7. The player auction will be held on October 28 at the Grand Hyatt in Kochi, while the five participating franchises have until September 28 to finalise their player retentions ahead of the new season.

Season starts January 14

The 2027 edition will be the fifth season of the WPL since the tournament was launched in 2023. The competition has emerged as a major platform for women’s cricket, bringing together leading Indian and international players while providing domestic talent an opportunity to compete at the highest level. The BCCI said the January 14-February 7 window had been finalised for the tournament. The detailed match schedule, including fixtures and venues, is expected to be announced separately. The five franchises — Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz — will once again compete for the title.

Retention deadline September 28

Before heading into the auction, franchises will have to submit their final list of retained players by September 28. The process will allow teams to preserve the core of their existing squads while releasing players they do not intend to carry into the 2027 season. The subsequent auction will give the franchises an opportunity to address gaps in their squads and strengthen their combinations ahead of the tournament. The player auction is scheduled for October 28 in Kochi, giving the teams more than two months after the event to prepare for the start of the competition.

Fifth season beckons

The WPL has witnessed Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru dominate its first four editions, with the two franchises winning two titles each. Mumbai Indians won the inaugural edition in 2023 and reclaimed the trophy in 2025, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted their maiden title in 2024 before securing their second championship in 2026.

Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, have reached the final in each of the four editions but are yet to win the tournament. The 2027 edition will continue the WPL’s rapid expansion as one of the leading competitions in women’s franchise cricket, with the auction now set to mark the next major stage in preparations for the fifth season.