Navi Mumbai witnessed a dazzling opening ceremony for the fourth edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 on January 9, 2026. The DY Patil Stadium transformed into a vibrant stage as Bollywood and music industry stars Yo Yo Honey Singh and Jacqueline Fernandez, along with Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu, ignited the atmosphere before the first match between the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) orchestrated a pre-match entertainment spectacle that commenced around 6:45 PM IST, setting the stage for an electrifying season. Yo Yo Honey Singh, known for his high-energy performances and crowd-pumping tracks, headlined the event. He kicked off the show with his hit track 'Millionaire,' which features Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, the captains of RCBW and MIW, respectively. Dressed in an all-black outfit, Honey Singh continued with 'Payal' and capped off his performance with 'Party All Night', joined by Jacqueline Fernandez and Harnaaz Sandhu.
Jacqueline Fernandez's act was a tribute to the "confidence and courage" of women in sports. Harnaaz Sandhu added further star power to the night. The trio shared the spotlight, with fans cheering and waving from the stands as music filled the stadium.
The opening ceremony concluded around 7:30 PM IST, followed by the highly anticipated match between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and elected to field.
The WPL 2026 is being played across Mumbai and Baroda, with the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai hosting the opening match. A total of 22 matches will be contested among five teams, culminating in the grand finale on February 5 in Vadodara. The five teams participating in the WPL 2026 are Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and UP Warriorz. The tournament follows a double round-robin format, with the league toppers directly progressing to the final, while the second and third-placed teams will compete in an Eliminator in the play-offs.
The Women's Premier League is a professional women's Twenty20 cricket league in India, organized by the BCCI. The first season was held in 2023. The Mumbai Indians won the inaugural title and are the current champions.
The WPL 2026 is broadcast on the Star Sports Network and live-streamed on JioCinema.
