WPL 2025: Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow and Mumbai Set to Host Third Edition of League
The third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is set to expand its footprint across India, with four vibrant cities – Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai – hosting the high-octane cricket festival. The BCCI announced the exciting news on Thursday, confirming a thrilling schedule for the five participating teams.
The tournament will commence on February 14th at the newly constructed BCA Stadium in Baroda, where the Gujarat Giants (GG) will lock horns with the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), in a much-anticipated opening clash. Baroda will host a total of six matches, setting the stage for a captivating start to the season.
The action then shifts to Bengaluru, where RCB will play their first home game against the Mumbai Indians (MI), champions of the inaugural WPL season, at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on February 21st. Bengaluru will witness three more thrilling encounters, with RCB facing UP Warriorz (UPW) on February 24th, GG on February 27th, and Delhi Capitals (DC) on March 1st.
Lucknow will make its WPL debut, hosting three matches at a yet-to-be-announced venue from March 3rd. This addition to the WPL landscape promises to further enhance the tournament’s reach and engage a new set of passionate cricket fans.
The final leg of the tournament will take place in Mumbai, with the prestigious Cricket Club of India (CCI) hosting the last two league matches and the crucial playoff games. Mumbai Indians will conclude the league stage with back-to-back home games against GG and RCB on March 10th and 11th respectively, building towards a crescendo of excitement.
The format remains unchanged, with the table-toppers earning a direct berth in the final on March 15th at the CCI. The second and third-placed teams will face off in the Eliminator on March 13th, also at the CCI, to determine the second finalist in this high-stakes battle.
Full schedule:
No | Teams | Venue | Date |
1 | Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Vadodara | 14 Feb |
2 | Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals | Vadodara | 15 Feb |
3 | Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz | Vadodara | 16 Feb |
4 | Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Vadodara | 17 Feb |
5 | Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians | Vadodara | 18 Feb |
6 | UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals | Vadodara | 19 Feb |
7 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians | Bengaluru | 21 Feb |
8 | Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz | Bengaluru | 22 Feb |
9 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz | Bengaluru | 24 Feb |
10 | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants | Bengaluru | 25 Feb |
11 | Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz | Bengaluru | 26 Feb |
12 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants | Bengaluru | 27 Feb |
13 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | Bengaluru | 28 Feb |
14 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals | Bengaluru | 1 Mar |
15 | UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants | Lucknow | 3 Mar |
16 | UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians | Lucknow | 6 Mar |
17 | Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Lucknow | 7 Mar |
18 | UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Lucknow | 8 Mar |
19 | Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants | Mumbai CCI | 10 Mar |
20 | Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Mumbai CCI | 11 Mar |
21 | Eliminator | Mumbai CCI | 13 Mar |
22 | Final | Mumbai CCI | 15 Mar |
This expanded format promises to bring the WPL closer to fans across the country, showcasing the incredible talent on display and further solidifying the league’s position as a global force in women’s cricket. The addition of new venues will undoubtedly add a fresh dimension to the tournament, offering unique atmospheres and creating unforgettable experiences for both players and spectators.
Key Highlights:
Expanded Reach: The inclusion of Baroda, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai as host cities will bring the WPL closer to a wider audience.
New Venues: The addition of new stadiums, such as the BCA Stadium in Baroda and the potential venues in Lucknow, will introduce fresh playing surfaces and atmospheres.
Intense Competition: The defending champions RCB and the inaugural champions MI will undoubtedly be strong contenders, but the presence of UP Warriorz, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Giants adds a layer of unpredictability and excitement to the competition.
Showcase of Talent: The WPL provides a platform to showcase the exceptional talent of women cricketers worldwide, inspiring the next generation of players and growing the sport at the grassroots level.
Anticipation is building as the third edition of the WPL approaches. The expanded reach, the introduction of new venues, and the fierce competition among the five teams promise to deliver an unforgettable cricketing spectacle. Fans across India and around the world are eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament, ready to witness the incredible skill, passion, and sportsmanship that the WPL has become synonymous with.
This year’s edition of the WPL is poised to be the most exciting yet, further solidifying its position as a global force in women’s cricket and inspiring a new generation of female athletes to pursue their dreams on the field.