WPL 2027 schedule announced: Vadodara, Mumbai to host fifth edition; RCB face MI in the opener

ByTech Word News

The WPL 2027 schedule has been announced. (Photo credit: WPL) NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the fifth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), with Vadodara and Mumbai hosting the tournament from January 14 to February 7, 2027.The 22-match competition will feature five franchises, with 11 matches scheduled at each venue. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will begin their title defense against former champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the opening match in Vadodara on January 14.The fifth edition will begin with the Vadodara leg, which will last until January 24. The tournament will then move to Mumbai to host the remaining 11 matches of the Cricket Club of India at the Brabourne Stadium on January 26.All matches, including the playoffs, start at 7:30 PM IST.

Brabourne Stadium will host the play-offs and the final

The league phase will continue in Mumbai until February 3, after which the tournament will enter the knockout phase.The eliminator, featuring the teams in second and third place in the league standings, will be played on February 5. The winner will advance to the finals, where they will face the table players who qualify directly for the title.The final is scheduled for February 7 at Brabourne Stadium, bringing the fifth year of the WPL to a close.Five franchises will once again compete for the coveted title, with RCB entering the season as the defending champions looking to retain their crown.

BCCI is considering expanding the WPL

The schedule announcement comes days after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board could explore expanding the league beyond the existing five-team structure.The WPL has featured five franchises since its inaugural edition in 2023, but the BCCI is now considering ways to increase participation and further develop the competition.“We will definitely have to do some brainstorming from next year to increase the number of teams as well as other areas where we can improve,” Saikia said.“Not just the players, but many other areas that we’re involved in, right from the coaches, selectors etc., and different stakeholders are involved,” he added.Saikia also highlighted the league’s contribution to women’s cricket in India, calling it one of the biggest franchise competitions in the sport.“WPL is one of the biggest leagues in franchise cricket after IPL. We have come a long way in four years and finally we now dominate women’s cricket. WPL has contributed to the success of women’s cricket in India,” he said.Meanwhile, Sophie Molineux emerged as the costliest player in the recent auction, with UP Warriorz securing the services of the Australian captain for Rs 1.10 crore.

Complete WPL 2027 schedule

Vadodara leg

  • January 14: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians
  • January 15: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriors
  • January 16: Delhi Capitals Vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru
  • January 17: UP Warriors vs Mumbai Indians
  • January 18: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals
  • January 19: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz
  • January 20: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians
  • January 21: UP Warriors vs Delhi Capitals
  • January 22: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
  • January 23: Delhi Capitals Vs. Bombay Indians
  • January 24: UP Warriors vs Gujarat Giants

Bombay leg

  • January 26: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
  • January 27: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants
  • January 28: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriors
  • January 29: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals
  • January 30: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants
  • January 31: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
  • February 1: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals
  • February 2: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants
  • February 3: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriors

Playoffs

  • February 5: Eliminator
  • February 7: Finals