The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 roared to life on January 9, 2026, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, blending cricketing excitement with star-studded entertainment. As fans poured into the stadium and millions tuned in via Star Sports Network and JioCinema, the opening ceremony set the tone for what promises to be another remarkable season of women’s T20 cricket in India.
The energy inside DY Patil Stadium was palpable even before the first ball was bowled. The pre-match festivities kicked off at 6:30 PM IST, an hour ahead of the highly anticipated season opener between defending champions Mumbai Indians and 2024 title winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The BCCI had pulled out all the stops, aiming to celebrate not just the return of the league, but also the rapid growth of women’s cricket across the nation.
Leading the entertainment charge was rapper Honey Singh, who lit up the stage with a medley of his biggest hits. The crowd roared as he performed ‘Party All Night’, ‘Lungi Dance’, and ‘Blue Eyes’, each track drawing an even louder response than the last. The spectacle reached its peak when Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, dressed in a Juventus jersey, joined Honey Singh for a dazzling dance number to ‘Lal Pari’. Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu also made a special appearance, sharing the stage during the show’s grand finale. As the trio closed out the performance, fans at DY Patil Stadium were on their feet, ready for the cricketing action to begin.
“The atmosphere was electric,” said a spectator, reflecting the sentiment of the packed stadium. The ceremony not only entertained but also highlighted themes of empowerment and the rising profile of women in sports—a fitting prelude to the fourth edition of the WPL.
As the music faded and anticipation peaked, attention shifted to the cricket. Smriti Mandhana, captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, won the toss and opted to field, putting Mumbai Indians in to bat first. This tactical decision set the stage for a gripping contest between two of the league’s most successful franchises. Mumbai Indians, helmed by Harmanpreet Kaur, entered the season as the most decorated team in WPL history, boasting two titles. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, fresh off their breakthrough championship in 2024, were eager to prove that their triumph was no fluke.
Delhi Capitals, though not in action on opening night, remain a team to watch. Remarkably, they have been runners-up in every WPL season so far, narrowly missing the top spot but consistently proving their mettle. The Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz round out the five-team lineup, each hungry to etch their names into the league’s growing history.
The 2026 WPL season will be contested in two phases. The opening leg is hosted entirely in Navi Mumbai, with the DY Patil Stadium serving as the crucible for early clashes. Later, the tournament will shift to Vadodara, where the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium will host the knockout matches, including the Eliminator on February 3 and the grand Final on February 5. This dual-city format is designed to bring the game to diverse audiences and maintain high-octane action throughout the month-long spectacle.
Looking back, the WPL has already delivered its share of unforgettable moments in just three previous editions. Who could forget the league’s very first match in 2023, when Mumbai Indians crushed Gujarat Giants by a staggering 143 runs—a statement of intent that set the tone for the years to come? Or English seamer Issy Wong’s historic hat-trick in the inaugural Eliminator, a feat that instantly entered the annals of WPL folklore?
Sophie Devine’s breathtaking 99 off 36 balls for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023 remains one of the most explosive innings in tournament history, while USA’s Tarra Norris claimed the first-ever five-wicket haul for Delhi Capitals against RCB. Each season has been punctuated by last-ball thrillers and record-breaking performances, such as South African pace ace Shabnim Ismail’s 132.1 km/h thunderbolt—the fastest delivery ever recorded in women’s cricket—during the 2024 campaign.
The league’s competitive balance has also produced dramatic title races. Mumbai Indians lifted the inaugural WPL trophy in 2023, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur becoming the first woman to hoist the coveted silverware. RCB’s 2024 championship ended a long drought for the franchise, while Mumbai reclaimed their crown in 2025 by besting Delhi Capitals in a tense final, thanks in part to Harmanpreet’s 66 off 44 balls and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s three crucial wickets.
As the 2026 season gets underway, the fixture list promises wall-to-wall action. With matches scheduled almost daily—sometimes in double-headers—fans can catch all the drama live on Star Sports or stream it on JioCinema. The initial phase in Navi Mumbai will see every team face off before the caravan moves to Vadodara, culminating in a high-stakes playoff series. The league’s format ensures that every match counts, with no room for complacency.
Off the field, the WPL’s entertainment quotient continues to rise. The blend of cricket, music, and celebrity appearances at the opening ceremony underscores the league’s ambition to become a marquee event on the global sports calendar. “It’s not just about cricket; it’s about celebrating women’s achievements and inspiring the next generation,” a BCCI official commented ahead of the opener.
For viewers at home, accessibility has never been higher. With comprehensive coverage across television and digital platforms, fans from every corner of India—and around the world—can follow their favorite teams and players. The league’s growing popularity is evident in the packed stadiums and surging television ratings, reflecting a broader shift in the sporting landscape.
With the opening ceremony now in the rearview mirror and the first match underway, the focus returns to the pitch. Can Mumbai Indians defend their title and cement their legacy as the WPL’s greatest side? Will Royal Challengers Bengaluru ride their momentum to another championship? And can Delhi Capitals finally break their streak of near-misses?
One thing is certain: with a month of cricket ahead, packed with world-class talent and fierce rivalries, the Women’s Premier League 2026 is set to deliver more iconic moments. As the DY Patil Stadium echoes with cheers and the floodlights shine bright, a new chapter in women’s cricket is being written in real time. The action has only just begun, and fans everywhere are in for a treat.
