Women's Premier League (WPL) Explained — India's Women's T20 Franchise League
Everything you need to know about the Women's Premier League (WPL): teams, format, auction system, overseas player rules, history, and how it's changing women's cricket globally.
What Is the WPL?
The Women's Premier League (WPL) is a women's T20 franchise cricket tournament organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Launched in 2023, it is the women's equivalent of the Indian Premier League and has rapidly become the most lucrative and commercially significant women's cricket league in the world. Five city-based franchises compete in a round-robin league and knockout format each year.
The Five Franchise Teams
The five WPL franchises are: Mumbai Indians Women, Delhi Capitals Women, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Women, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants. The franchise rights were sold for significant sums to owners including the same entities that own the corresponding IPL teams. Each franchise can include international players from countries across the world alongside Indian domestic talent.
Player Auction and Overseas Rules
WPL players are acquired through an annual auction, where franchises bid against each other for both Indian and overseas players. Each team can have a maximum of 6 overseas players in their squad, with no more than 4 playing in any XI. The overseas quota allows the WPL to attract England, Australia, West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka's leading women's players. This makes the WPL the most international women's franchise league in existence.
Tournament Format
The WPL uses a double round-robin format in the league stage — all five teams play each other twice. The top three teams advance to a playoff: first vs second in a Qualifier 1 (winner goes directly to the final), third vs the Qualifier 1 loser in an Eliminator, and then an Eliminator winner vs Qualifier 1 loser in Qualifier 2. The two Qualifier finalists meet in the WPL Final.
Impact on Women's Cricket
The WPL has had a transformational effect on women's cricket: player salaries have increased significantly, attracting more young women to the professional game; coaching and training standards have improved to IPL-equivalent levels; and the league's broadcast reach (on JioCinema and other platforms) gives women's cricket unprecedented prime-time visibility in India. Several WPL alumni have immediately upgraded their international performances after the league's coaching environment.
Frequently asked questions
How many teams are in the WPL?
The WPL has five franchise teams: Mumbai Indians Women, Delhi Capitals Women, Royal Challengers Bangalore Women, UP Warriorz, and Gujarat Giants.
When does the WPL take place?
The WPL is typically held in February-March each year, between the conclusion of domestic Indian women's cricket and before the start of the international summer. This timing allows overseas players to participate without significant scheduling conflicts.
Is the WPL the highest-paying women's cricket league?
Yes — the WPL is the highest-valued women's cricket franchise league, with player salaries and auction results significantly exceeding those of all other women's cricket leagues globally. The Mumbai Indians Women paid record sums for top overseas players in the inaugural auction.