The Board of Control for Cricket in India (
This decision comes as the fifth edition of the league prepares to get underway, with the tournament running from January 14 to February 7. The competition is set to be split between two host cities: Vadodara and Mumbai. The opening phase of the tournament will be held at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara from January 14 through January 24, before the action shifts to Mumbai for the remainder of the schedule, culminating in the final on February 7.
Reasoning Behind the Venue Swap
The decision to move the matches from the Cricket Club of India’s (CCI) Brabourne Stadium was prompted by a formal request from the International Cricket Council (ICC). The CCI is currently slated to host the inaugural
In an official statement, the BCCI explained that the WPL Governing Council had originally approved the Brabourne Stadium as the venue for matches 12 through 20, as well as the Eliminator and the final, during a meeting held on September 15, 2026. However, to accommodate the ICC's requirements for the upcoming multi-nation tournament, the WPL Committee has now officially sanctioned the move to Wankhede Stadium. This change ensures that all 11 matches originally assigned to the Mumbai leg will proceed as planned at the new venue.
Tournament Context and Preparations
The shift in venue follows proactive discussions regarding the hosting of future cricket series. During its 95th Annual General Meeting, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) had previously expressed its interest to the BCCI in hosting matches should any scheduling adjustments become necessary for upcoming tournaments. With the WPL Committee's approval, the Wankhede Stadium is now set to serve as the primary hub for the final stretch of the 2027 season, maintaining the integrity of the tournament's timeline while supporting the requirements of the subsequent ICC event.
