Key points
- The fifth Women's Premier League will be played from January 14 to February 7, 2027, the BCCI announced on November 4, 2026.
- Vadodara and Mumbai will host the 22-match tournament, with 11 matches scheduled in each city.
- The opening match on January 14 in Vadodara will feature defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Mumbai Indians.
- The Vadodara leg will run from January 14 to 24, before the tournament moves to Mumbai on January 26.
- Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium at the Cricket Club of India will host the second leg, including the Eliminator on February 5 and the final on February 7.
- The fifth edition features the same five franchises: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz.
Vadodara and Mumbai will host the fifth edition of the Women's Premier League from January 14 to February 7, 2027, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirming a 22-match tournament across the two cities on Wednesday, November 4. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will open their campaign against Mumbai Indians in Vadodara on January 14.
WPL returns to Vadodara and Mumbai
The tournament will be split into two venue legs, with 11 matches scheduled in each city. Vadodara will stage the opening half of the competition from January 14 to 24. The action will then move to Mumbai from January 26, with the Cricket Club of India's Brabourne Stadium hosting the second leg and the knockout matches.
The BCCI's announcement confirms the two host cities and the tournament window. The schedule gives the fifth edition a 25-day span, from the opening fixture on January 14 to the title match on February 7. The 22-match programme includes the league phase and two playoff matches.
The opening fixture pits RCB, the reigning champions, against Mumbai Indians, one of the league's established title-winning sides. The first match will be played in Vadodara, setting the tone for the opening leg before the competition shifts to Mumbai.
Brabourne Stadium to stage the Mumbai leg and final
After the Vadodara leg concludes on January 24, the tournament resumes in Mumbai on January 26. Brabourne Stadium, the home ground of the Cricket Club of India, will host the second phase, including the Eliminator scheduled for February 5 and the final two days later.
Under the WPL playoff structure, the team finishing first in the league standings advances directly to the final, while the second- and third-placed teams meet in the Eliminator for the other place in the championship match. The final on February 7 will decide the 2027 title.
The 22-match schedule is split evenly between the two host cities. Vadodara's 11 matches cover the opening leg, while Mumbai stages the remaining 11, including the two playoff fixtures. This arrangement gives both venues a substantial share of the fifth season.
Five franchises return for the fifth edition
Five teams are set to compete: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz. RCB enter the season as defending champions, while the other four franchises will look to challenge for the title across the league stage and playoffs.
The opening match gives the defending champions an immediate test against Mumbai Indians. With the season beginning in mid-January, the teams will have a short window after the end of the calendar year to prepare for the next WPL campaign. The full fixture list will determine the sequence of opponents and the path each side must take through the league phase.
A busy period for women's cricket in India
The WPL's February finish comes shortly before another major women's event in India. The inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held from February 14 to 28, 2027, with matches in Mumbai and Vadodara. The ICC has identified the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and Vadodara International Cricket Stadium as venues for that tournament.
The proximity of the two events places the WPL within a significant stretch of the international women's cricket calendar in India. The league will bring its five franchises together for the domestic franchise competition before the six-team Champions Trophy begins a week after the WPL final.
For the host cities, the WPL provides a concentrated run of top-level women's T20 cricket. Vadodara will welcome the tournament for its opening leg, while Mumbai will stage the closing phase and decide the champion. With dates, venues and the opening fixture confirmed, attention will now turn to the full match schedule and the preparations of the five teams.
The fifth edition will begin on January 14 with RCB against Mumbai Indians and conclude at Brabourne Stadium on February 7. Between those dates, 22 matches across Vadodara and Mumbai will determine whether the defending champions can retain their crown or another franchise will lift the WPL trophy.
Frequently asked questions
When will the WPL 2027 season take place?
The fifth edition of the Women's Premier League will run from January 14 to February 7, 2027. The BCCI announced the dates and host cities on November 4, 2026. The 22-match competition will conclude with the final in Mumbai on February 7.
Which cities will host the WPL 2027 matches?
Vadodara and Mumbai will host the 2027 Women's Premier League. The first 11 matches are scheduled in Vadodara from January 14 to 24. The tournament then moves to Mumbai for the remaining 11 matches, including the playoffs.
Who will play the opening match of WPL 2027?
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Mumbai Indians in the opening match on January 14, 2027, in Vadodara. The fixture brings together the reigning champions and a former WPL title-winning franchise to begin the fifth edition.
Where will the WPL 2027 final be played?
The WPL 2027 final is scheduled for February 7 in Mumbai at Brabourne Stadium, the Cricket Club of India's ground. The same venue is also set to host the second leg of the tournament and the Eliminator on February 5.
How many matches will be played in WPL 2027?
The fifth edition will feature 22 matches involving five franchises. The schedule is divided equally between Vadodara and Mumbai, with 11 matches in each city. The Mumbai leg includes the knockout stage, with the Eliminator and final scheduled for February 5 and 7.