Women's Premier League (WPL) Explained
A guide to the WPL — the BCCI's women's franchise T20 competition launched in 2023 — its five teams, auction model, and role in women's cricket.
What Is the Women's Premier League?
The Women's Premier League (WPL) is the BCCI's flagship women's franchise T20 competition, launched in March 2023. Five franchises compete in a round-robin and playoff format, and the auction model — with an open player auction featuring large price tags for top women's internationals — was widely credited with transforming the commercial landscape of women's cricket globally.
The Five Teams
- Mumbai Indians Women
- Delhi Capitals Women
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women
- UP Warriorz
- Gujarat Giants
Format
Each of the five teams plays the others home and away (eight matches per team in the group stage), then the top three qualify for semi-finals (with the top-placed team receiving a direct final berth). The WPL runs for approximately three weeks in February–March, and all matches are held in India.
Impact on Women's Cricket
The inaugural WPL auction saw Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner sold for ₹3.2 crore — one of the highest prices ever paid for a women's cricketer in a franchise auction. The WPL created a new financial benchmark for women's players globally, creating pressure on Cricket Australia, the ECB, and Cricket South Africa to raise salary floors in their respective competitions.
Frequently asked questions
When does the WPL take place?
The WPL runs in February–March, before the men's IPL begins. Matches are currently centralised at venues in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
Can overseas women's players participate in the WPL?
Yes — each WPL team can include overseas women's players, subject to squad and playing XI limits set by the BCCI, mirroring the men's IPL framework.
How does the WPL auction work?
Similar to the men's IPL, an open auction with a salary cap is used. Players register with a base price; franchises bid in the auction room. Retentions are permitted before each auction cycle.