As preparations for the fifth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) gather momentum, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a major logistical update regarding the tournament’s schedule. In an official statement released on Sunday, the board confirmed that the entire Mumbai leg of WPL 2027 has been relocated from the historic Brabourne Stadium (Cricket Club of India) to the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
While cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the high-octane action, sports administrators had to make quick adjustments behind the scenes. According to the BCCI, while the dates, match formats, and fixtures remain completely unchanged, shifting the venue became an absolute necessity to comply with overarching international cricketing mandates.
The Core Reason: ICC Regulations and Pitch Preparation
When the WPL Governing Council initially mapped out the fifth edition’s blueprint during its high-level meeting on September 15, 2026, matches 12 through 20, alongside the high-stakes Eliminator and the grand final, were slated to be hosted at Brabourne Stadium. However, scheduling logistics collided with major international tournament commitments.
The primary catalyst for the venue change involves the upcoming inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s Champions Trophywhich is scheduled to kick off at the Brabourne Stadium on February 14, 2027. International Cricket Council regulations stipulate that a strict cooling-off period—requiring a mandatory 15-day gap before a multi-national global tournament—must be observed to allow groundsmen adequate time to curate, rest, and re-prepare pitches to international standards.
Because the tail-end of the WPL 2027 schedule at Brabourne would have run dangerously close to the ICC tournament window, retaining the venue would have directly violated ICC compliance rules. To avert any administrative conflict, the ICC formally requested the BCCI to relocate the WPL matches, prompting the WPL Committee to approve the transition to Wankhede Stadium.
Complete Schedule Breakdown for WPL 2027
The fifth season of the Women’s Premier League promises to be an electrifying spectacle, kicking off on January 14, 2027. The tournament will adopt a multi-city caravan format to bring top-tier women’s T20 cricket to passionate fans across the country:
The Vadodara Leg (January 14 – January 25): The opening phase of the tournament will be hosted at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. The blockbuster tournament opener will feature a high-voltage clash between defending powerhouses Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI).
The Wankhede Leg (January 26 – February 7): Action shifts entirely to Mumbai starting January 26, where all remaining league matches, the Eliminator on February 5, and the championship final on February 7 will unfold under the lights at Wankhede Stadium.
Competing Franchises for WPL 2027
Five elite franchises will battle it out for ultimate supremacy in what has quickly evolved into one of the most competitive global T20 leagues:
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Gujarat Giants (GG)
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
UP Warriorz (UPW)
With Wankhede Stadium now locked in to host the dramatic concluding phase and the championship showdown, cricket fans can look forward to world-class sporting entertainment delivered on pitches primed to perfection.