BCCI sets October 28 auction for WPL 2027 as five teams begin squad overhaul

WPL 2027 auction date confirmed

The countdown to the fifth edition of the Women’s Premier League has begun after the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed the key dates for the 2027 season.

The player auction will be held at the Grand Hyatt Kochi on October 28. The five franchises must submit their retention plans by September 28, 2026, giving them less than a month to decide which players will remain part of their squads and which will be released.

Season to run from January 14 to February 7

The 2027 edition of the TATA Women’s Premier League is scheduled to take place from January 14 to February 7. The BCCI formally communicated the dates to the franchises before issuing a media release.

The auction will give teams an opportunity to address weaknesses, strengthen their combinations and complete their squads ahead of the new campaign. Each franchise can have a maximum of 18 players, including up to six overseas players. The salary cap for the current cycle is set at Rs 15 crore.

Mumbai and Vadodara likely to retain hosting roles

The BCCI has not yet officially announced the venues for WPL 2027. However, Mumbai and Vadodara are understood to be the leading candidates after hosting the previous edition. The Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara staged matches during the last season.

Vadodara also hosted the WPL 2026 final on February 5, when Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifted the title.

Varanasi has been discussed as another possible venue because a new stadium is under construction there. Its chances of hosting matches currently appear remote, with the venue needing to be completed and tested through domestic fixtures before it can stage a major tournament.