Women's Premier League (WPL) Explained
How the Women's Premier League works, its first three seasons (2023-2025), its impact on women's cricket globally, and how it compares to the IPL.
The Women's Premier League (WPL) is the premier women's T20 franchise tournament in cricket, launched by the BCCI in March 2023. Modelled on the IPL, the WPL features five city-based franchise teams and runs over approximately one month each year. It has been widely credited with transforming the financial landscape of women's cricket globally — offering professional contracts, international exposure, and star billing to players who previously had limited earning potential.
WPL Format and Teams
The WPL has five franchises: Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz. Each team plays all others in a round-robin format; the top three qualify for the playoffs (an Eliminator and two Finals). Matches are held at major Indian venues including Brabourne Stadium (Mumbai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), and M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bengaluru).
| Season | Year | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| WPL 2023 | 2023 | Mumbai Indians |
| WPL 2024 | 2024 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| WPL 2025 | 2025 | Mumbai Indians Women (beat Delhi Capitals by 8 runs) |
Impact on Women's Cricket
- Auction prices for top players now reach ₹2-3 crore ($240,000-$360,000) — transforming women's earnings
- International players (Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine) earn competitive salaries comparable to men's domestic leagues
- Domestic Indian women's players now have a structured pathway with professional contracts
- WPL broadcast deal has given women's cricket prime-time TV exposure in India
- Other countries have launched or upgraded women's T20 leagues in response
Frequently asked questions
How many overseas players can WPL teams field?
WPL teams can field up to five overseas players in their playing XI, which is more generous than the IPL's four overseas slots. This was deliberately designed to attract top international women's players and give the WPL an international flavour from its first season. Each team typically signs 5-6 overseas players in the auction from which they select the final five for each match.