WPL 2027 Auction Tentatively Set for October 28 in Kochi; Varanasi Emerges as Potential New Venue

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set for another important step towards its 2027 season, with the auction tentatively scheduled for October 28 in Kochi. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is firming up the tournament plans, with the possibility of taking the league to a new city also discussed during a WPL Governing Council virtual meeting on Tuesday.

Varanasi has emerged as a potential addition to the WPL’s venue list, with the BCCI considering the possibility of staging matches in the city for the first time. However, the final decision will depend on an inspection of the venue and whether the required infrastructure can be made ready in time. For now, Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium and Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara remain the two venues in line to host the 2027 edition.

According to a source quoted by Sportstar, the BCCI will assess whether the Varanasi venue can be prepared in time before taking a final call. “The BCCI team will inspect whether the venue in Varanasi can be ready by then and, accordingly, a call will be taken on hosting matches there. For now, it’s Mumbai and Vadodara,” the source said.

WPL 2027 Likely to Be Played in January-February

The 2027 WPL is expected to retain the January-February window, despite another major women’s cricket tournament being scheduled in India during the same period. India is set to host the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in mid-February, creating a tight scheduling window for the BCCI. The potential overlap in venue requirements adds another layer of complexity to the planning process. Both Brabourne Stadium and Kotambi Stadium, which are currently in line to host WPL matches, are also expected to stage matches during the Women’s Champions Trophy. This means the BCCI will have to manage the transition between the two tournaments carefully, with limited turnaround time available at the venues.

The final schedule and venue allocation are therefore likely to depend on logistical assessments, including ground availability and preparations required for the two competitions.

One of the most significant aspects of the latest discussions is the possibility of the WPL expanding to Varanasi. The league has largely been played across two locations in previous seasons. The exception came in 2025, when the tournament was staged across four cities, giving the competition a broader geographical footprint. Taking the WPL to Varanasi would represent another step towards expanding the league's reach beyond its established venues. It would also have particular significance for UP Warriorz, who could potentially use Varanasi as their home venue.

The franchise has had limited opportunities to play at a designated home venue since the WPL began. In 2025, UP Warriorz played their home matches in Lucknow, marking the first time the team had a home base in the competition. A move to Varanasi would give UP Warriorz a home venue for only the second time and could provide the franchise with an opportunity to establish a stronger local connection with supporters.

However, Varanasi’s inclusion remains dependent on the outcome of the BCCI’s venue inspection. Until the infrastructure assessment is completed, Mumbai and Vadodara remain the confirmed venues under consideration for the tournament.

Auction Plans Take Shape

The tentative October 28 auction date in Kochi provides an early indication of the BCCI’s preparations for the 2027 WPL season. The auction will be a key part of the build-up to the next edition as franchises look to shape their squads ahead of the January-February tournament window. While the exact player pool and auction details are yet to be finalised in the information currently available, the date indicates that squad-building preparations are moving forward.

The BCCI will also need to coordinate the WPL with the Women’s Champions Trophy, particularly because of the shared venues. The scheduling challenge could influence how the league’s matches are distributed between Mumbai, Vadodara, and potentially Varanasi. The introduction of a third city would also mark another development in the WPL’s evolving format. After initially operating primarily across limited venues, the league has already demonstrated the possibility of taking matches to multiple cities.

With the 2027 auction tentatively scheduled for October 28 and the tournament expected to return in January-February, attention will now turn to the BCCI’s venue inspections and the finalisation of the WPL calendar. The decision on Varanasi could determine whether the 2027 season adds another city to the league’s growing footprint.