New Details on WPL 2026 Auction Location and Rules

Upcoming WPL 2026 Auction Location

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction for 2026 is generating buzz as reports suggest it will take place in New Delhi. Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not confirmed this officially, franchises have been informally informed about the proposed venue.

While the auction is likely to occur on either November 26 or 27, BCCI’s earlier indication allowed for a window from November 26 to 29. Despite the promotion of the auction as a grand event, it is expected to be a quick one-day affair.

New Player Retention Rules

This year’s auction introduces the Right to Match (RTM) rule, marking a significant change in strategy for teams. Teams will have the opportunity to retain players they previously released by matching the highest bid during the auction—if they haven’t kept all allowed players.

If a team retains all five players, they will incur a budget deduction of INR 9.25 crore, losing the chance to use the RTM option. Here’s a quick breakdown of retention costs:

Balancing Retentions and New Talent

The new rules permit teams to retain up to three experienced Indian players, alongside two foreign players and two emerging Indian talents. This structure aims to strike a balance between maintaining strong core teams while providing opportunities for fresh talent.

The Mumbai Indians, the current champions, secured victories against Delhi Capitals in the last two finals. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have struggled in recent seasons, failing to reach the Eliminator in 2023 or 2025 despite winning the championship in 2024.

As we approach the auction, the excitement continues to build around the potential changes and what they may mean for the teams and players involved.