The upcoming WPL 2026 mega auction will be one of the biggest moments in the history of the Women’s Premier League. All five franchises will gather in New Delhi to rebuild their teams, fill important squad gaps and fight for some of the world’s best players. The auction will take place on November 27 at 3:30 pm IST, and fans across India are waiting to see which cricketers secure big deals and which teams form a strong squad for the new season.
This year’s auction will see 73 total squad slots open, including 23 overseas slots, giving every team enough space to plan new combinations. Each franchise can choose a squad of up to 18 players. With several teams releasing many cricketers, the auction is expected to be fast-paced, competitive and full of last-minute surprises.
New rules introduced this year are likely to change the way teams operate. One of the most important changes is the Right to Match (RTM) option. Depending on how many players they kept from their 2025 squads, each team can use up to five RTM cards. An RTM card allows a franchise to buy back a player who was earlier part of its team, even if another franchise makes a winning bid for that cricketer. This rule can dramatically affect auction strategies, especially for teams that retained fewer players and now enjoy more RTM opportunities.
Two teams stand out this year because of their huge rebuilding needs. UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants both released most of their squad and kept only a small number of players. This has given them more RTM cards and bigger budgets, which could help them target top Indian and overseas players. Among them, UP Warriorz retained only uncapped player Shweta Sehrawat, meaning they now enter the auction with the largest purse of INR 14.5 crore and four RTM cards. This places them in a strong position to rebuild their squad from almost scratch.
On the other hand, teams like Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, and Delhi Capitals, who retained Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues, have kept five players each. Because they retained the maximum players allowed, they will not have any RTM options in the mega auction. These franchises must work with the purse they have left and choose their targets carefully.
Together, all five franchises have a combined purse of INR 41.1 crore, which guarantees strong bidding battles for leading Indian stars and powerful overseas performers. In past auctions, the WPL has seen record-breaking spending. For example, Smriti Mandhana remains the most expensive player ever purchased in WPL history when Royal Challengers Bengaluru bought her for INR 3.4 crore during the 2023 mega auction. With new rules and more competition this year, experts believe that some players may break previous price records.
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Fans in India can watch the WPL 2026 mega auction live on both television and online platforms. The auction will begin at 3:30 pm IST and will be broadcast across the country.
For viewers watching on TV, the official broadcaster will be the Star Sports network, which will show the entire event live. Cricket lovers can tune in to any of the Star Sports channels depending on their cable or DTH connection. The broadcast is expected to include pre-show analysis, commentary during the auction and expert opinions on each team’s strategy.
For those who prefer to watch online, the auction will be available for live streaming on JioHotstar. Fans can stream the event on smartphones, tablets or smart TVs. The online streaming option is especially useful for those who want to follow the bidding process while on the move or without access to a television.
The WPL auction is not just another cricket event; it is also a celebration of women’s cricket in India. As the league grows each year, more fans have started following both the players and the teams closely. The increasing popularity has also encouraged franchises to invest more and plan long-term structures similar to men’s leagues. With bigger budgets, stronger scouting and more international players showing interest, the 2026 season is expected to be one of the most thrilling seasons of the WPL so far.
This year’s auction is also significant because it gives teams the chance to adopt new strategies. Some franchises may focus on high-impact match-winners, while others may build balanced squads with strong domestic talent. The availability of RTM cards will add suspense, as teams with higher RTM advantage can choose to bring back key players even after losing the initial bid.
With excitement building and fans eagerly waiting, the WPL 2026 mega auction promises drama, strategy, surprises and major signings. Whether you support a particular team or enjoy watching the action unfold, the auction will provide plenty of entertainment and insight into how each franchise plans to compete in the next season.
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