The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is getting ready for another exciting season as the details for the 2026 mega auction have now been officially confirmed. Teams will soon compete to sign some of the best cricket talent from India and around the world.
The announcement has already created buzz among fans, players, and franchises. With new talent entering the pool, this auction is expected to be one of the most competitive yet.
Auction Date and Venue
The WPL 2026 auction will take place on 27 November 2025 in New Delhi. The event will start at 3:30 PM (IST). All five franchises will take part in the live bidding process. This will be the first major team-building event for the upcoming season and will decide how each squad shapes up.
Total Players Registered
A total of 277 players have entered the auction pool. The list includes both experienced international players and young domestic talent. Breakdown of the registered players:
- 194 Indian players (52 capped, 142 uncapped)
- 83 overseas players (66 capped, 17 uncapped) this includes four players from Associate cricket nations.
Among these, star cricketers as well as emerging uncapped players will be available for bidding.
Click here to know all the names of players available in the auction
Available Team Slots
Across all franchises, there are 73 total slots available to fill. Out of these, 23 spots are reserved for overseas players. Teams will need to choose wisely, as the number of available places is much smaller compared to the number of registered players. This means not everyone will be picked, leading to competitive bidding for key names.
Also read: WPL 2026 Mega Auction: 8 Marquee Players Who Will Start the Bidding War
Retention and Strategy
Before the auction, the franchises released their retention lists. Several well-known players remain with their existing teams, while others are back in the auction pool.
Teams will now enter the auction with different purse balances depending on their retention and future plans. The auction will test each management’s strategy as they balance experienced stars with fresh young talent.
Looking Ahead
Once the auction ends, teams will begin planning for the new season, which is expected to start on 7 January to 3 February 2026. With a bigger talent pool and growing fan interest, the upcoming WPL season promises even more competition and entertainment.
The mega auction marks the beginning of another chapter for women’s cricket in India as the league continues to grow stronger and more competitive.
Conclusion
The WPL 2026 auction will play an important role in shaping the upcoming season. With many talented players in the pool and limited slots available, teams will need smart strategies to build strong and balanced squads.
Written by Kinjal Walantra