WPL 2027 Auction on October 28 in Kochi, Venue Details Announced

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 season with significant developments on both the player auction and tournament venues. Cricket fans can mark their calendars as the WPL 2027 player auction is tentatively slated for October 28, 2026, in Kochi, marking an early start to the squad-building process compared to previous seasons. India Clinch Women's Asia Cup 2026; Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana And Shree Charani Seal Record 8th Title.

Auction Details and Format

This upcoming auction is expected to be a mini-auction, following the mega-auction held ahead of the WPL 2026 season which saw significant squad reshuffles. With core squads largely established, franchises will likely focus on targeted acquisitions, released players, overseas talent, and emerging domestic performers to strengthen their lineups. Each of the five existing franchises—Mumbai Indians Women, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, Delhi Capitals Women, Gujarat Giants Women, and UP Warriorz—is anticipated to have an increased purse, potentially rising to around ₹15.5–16 crore, to secure their desired players.

Venues and Home-and-Away Transition

The WPL 2027 season is poised to be a landmark edition, with the BCCI aiming to introduce a full home-and-away format for the first time, moving away from the centralized 'caravan model' that characterized its initial years. Mumbai's historic Brabourne Stadium at the Cricket Club of India has been confirmed as a host venue for WPL 2027 matches. Brabourne has a rich history with the league, having hosted matches in the inaugural 2023 season and the finals in both 2023 and 2025.

Adding an exciting new dimension, Varanasi's upcoming international cricket stadium is being actively considered as a second host city. The stadium, currently under construction in Ganjari, Rajatalab, is reportedly 92% complete, with hopes of completion in the coming weeks. A BCCI cricket operations team is scheduled to conduct a recce of the Varanasi stadium to assess its readiness, including the need to stage domestic/practice matches before a major tournament. Vadodara's Kotambi Stadium, which hosted the WPL 2026 final where Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women clinched the title against Delhi Capitals, is also a strong contender for hosting matches.

Further discussions have also included the possibility of hosting matches at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, home to Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women, and Lucknow's Ekana Cricket Stadium, home to UP Warriorz, as the league expands its geographical footprint.

IPL Governing Council Defers Decision

In a separate development, the IPL Governing Council, led by Chairman Arun Singh Dhumal, recently held a virtual meeting where a decision on the contentious Impact Player rule for the Indian Premier League (IPL) was deferred. It is understood that a majority of the IPL franchises have expressed reservations against the rule, with their feedback currently under assessment. A final decision on the Impact Player rule is expected to be taken at a subsequent meeting next month. India Reportedly Refuse Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Trophy From ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

As the WPL continues to grow, attracting world-class players and expanding its fanbase, the 2027 season promises to be a pivotal moment for women's cricket in India. The league, title-sponsored by the TATA Group until 2027, is typically played between January and February, ensuring a dedicated window in the ICC Future Tours Programme for top international player participation.

The anticipation builds for an expanded and more engaging WPL as it continues to solidify its position as one of the world's premier T20 leagues.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 16, 2026 12:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).