The WPL 2026 is reportedly to be played in January next year.
Although the auction date is still pending, the window has been reduced to November 26–27. The auction was formerly scheduled for November 26–29, according to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Even though the auction is, in theory, a huge event, it is anticipated to be completed in a single day. Even if up to 90 players were put up for auction, the procedure is unlikely to take long because there are only five WPL teams and a maximum squad size of 18.
As per Cricbuzz, the franchises have been required to provide a list of retained players by November 5. Each club is allowed five retentions, and if a team uses all five, it will forfeit INR 3.5 crore for the number one player, 2.5 crore for the second, 1.75 crore for the third, 1 crore for the fourth, and 50 lakhs for the fifth retention. The player purse for the auction is INR 15 crore, with five retentions costing a side 9.25 crore.
A maximum of two uncapped players may be retained by each team, and the standard fee for doing so is INR 50 lakh. Furthermore, a team may keep up to three Indian capped players and no more than two foreign players on the retention list.
On the other hand, the Times of India report stated that the BCCI is exploring two or three cities for the IPL 2026 auction as well and will finalize one venue.
"The WPL auction will be conducted either on November 26 or November 27 in Delhi. For the IPL auction, we are exploring two-three cities—both in India and abroad—and will finalize one eventually," the BCCI source told Times of India.
As previously reported, the WPL 4 will begin in January 2026. Normally, the WPL takes place between February and March, but this time around, the tournament's schedule is likely to be moved up to ensure that it is completed before the Men's 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
(Times of India/Cricbuzz reports)