The countdown to the biggest shake-up in women’s cricket is on! The WPL 2026 auction is officially locked in, and franchises are already deep in strategy mode. If you thought last season was exciting, get ready for a whole new level of drama and talent.
WPL 2026 Auction: The Big Reveal
Mark your calendars! The mega auction for the Women’s Premier League 2026 will be held in the heart of the capital, New Delhi, on November 26-27, 2025 . This two-day event will see the five franchises battle it out to build their dream teams for the upcoming season. The buzz in the city is already building, promising a spectacle for fans and players alike.
What You Need to Know: The Retention Deadline
Before the main auction frenzy begins, there’s a critical first step. All five WPL franchises must submit their final lists of retained players by November 5, 2025 . This initial move is a masterclass in team strategy, as it directly impacts their spending power in the main auction.
Decoding the WPL 2026 Auction Rules
Understanding the rules is key to appreciating the high-stakes game the franchises are playing. Here’s a breakdown of the key regulations:
Player Retention: The Core Strategy
Each of the five teams can retain a maximum of five players from their previous squad . However, this isn’t a free pass. Retaining a player comes at a cost that is deducted from the team’s total salary cap. The more star players a team holds on to, the less money they have to spend on new talent at the auction.
The Right to Match (RTM) Card
To add another layer of complexity, franchises are also granted a limited number of Right to Match (RTM) cards . If a player they previously owned is picked up by another team during the auction, they can use an RTM card to reclaim that player by matching the final bid. It’s a powerful tool for keeping a core group together.
Salary Cap & Price Slabs
While the exact total salary cap for WPL 2026 hasn’t been officially confirmed, reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented fixed price slabs for retained players . This system ensures a level of financial fairness across the league, preventing any single team from hoarding all the top talent.
Why This Auction is a Game-Changer
The WPL 2026 auction isn’t just about buying players; it’s about shaping the future of women’s cricket in India and globally. With the league’s popularity skyrocketing, every decision a franchise makes will be scrutinized. Will teams go all-in on proven international stars, or will they gamble on exciting, young domestic talent? The choices made in New Delhi will define the narrative for the entire season.