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The WPL 2026 Mega Auction, taking place today in New Delhi, marks the most significant squad reshuffle since the league’s launch in 2023. With the WPL 2026 mega-auction format returning, teams have released almost their entire squads, keeping only a small core for structural stability.
A massive pool of 277 players will go under the hammer, competing for just 73 squad vacancies across the five franchises. This edition introduces the RTM (Right to Match) card for the first time, fundamentally altering bidding strategies and retention planning. The event begins with pre-show coverage at 2:30 PM IST, while the official auction starts at 3:30 PM IST.
Broadcast partners are locked in, purse values are finalised, and all eyes are on the marquee names headlining the player pool. With the financial gap between franchises wider than ever, each team enters today with a completely different tactical approach. The outcome of this auction will define the league’s competitive balance through the 2026 season.
Live telecast & streaming - Full broadcast map
The WPL 2026 Mega Auction will be broadcast nationwide through the Star Sports Network, continuing the league’s partnership with India’s leading sports broadcaster. Viewers can expect coverage on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi, with multilingual commentary to ensure accessibility across regions.
The digital streaming rights are held exclusively by the newly merged “JioHotstar” platform, which replaces both JioCinema and Hotstar from previous seasons. The platform will offer free access on mobile devices, maintaining the model that significantly boosted digital viewership for major cricket events in 2024 and 2025.
Smart TV and web viewers can tune in via premium plans, which include enhanced features like live purse meters and instant player statistics. The broadcast package also includes dedicated auction analytics, spotlight segments on key players, and real-time squad composition graphics as each bid is confirmed.
Pre-auction shows begin at 2:30 PM IST with expert insights, team strategies, and last-minute tactical predictions. The main auction goes live at 3:30 PM IST and is expected to run through multiple phases, including marquee sets, specialist categories, all-rounders, and uncapped players. Global audiences will also be able to access licensed streams through partner networks in Australia, England and South Africa.
WPL franchise purses & financial landscape
The financial setup for the WPL 2026 Mega Auction paints a stark picture of contrasting team strategies. UP Warriorz enter with a commanding purse of ₹14.5 crore, the highest among all teams, giving them unmatched flexibility to target premium players and outbid competition.
Gujarat Giants stand second with ₹9 crore, positioning them strongly to rebuild their squad depth. Meanwhile, the three franchises that chose to retain stability – RCB, MI, and DC-hold significantly smaller budgets, ranging from ₹5.70 crore to ₹6.15 crore. RCB sits on ₹6.15 crore, Mumbai Indians have ₹5.75 crore, and Delhi Capitals have ₹5.70 crore.
These differences create two distinct tactical pathways: aggressive, high-value buying for UPW and GG, versus calculated, selective bidding for MI, DC and RCB. Teams with smaller purses must avoid early bidding traps and focus on value signings in the mid-tier sets.
The financial disparity is amplified by retention slabs, which forced high-cost teams to spend a major portion of their cap before the auction. The overall purse distribution ensures that today’s auction will see major swings, with wealthier teams potentially dictating the pace of bidding and reshaping the dynamics of the league.
Squad composition & available slots
With 277 players listed-194 Indian and 83 overseas-the franchises face a tight contest to fill a total of just 73 available slots. Every team is permitted a maximum squad size of 18, including up to six overseas players.
UP Warriorz, having retained just one player, must fill a massive 17 slots, including six overseas positions, making them the busiest table at the auction. Gujarat Giants must recruit 16 players, of which four may be overseas. Royal Challengers Bengaluru enter with 14 vacancies and space for five overseas signings. Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, each retaining a strong core of five players, now have 13 slots to fill, including four foreign-player openings apiece.
The supply-to-demand ratio makes this auction especially challenging, as nearly 280 cricketers compete for a fraction of opportunities. Overseas players will be in high demand, but the restricted quota ensures that teams must prioritise high-quality domestic talent to complete their squads effectively. The scarcity of top-tier Indian pacers, all-rounders, and wicketkeepers will likely lead to intense bidding wars early in the proceedings. The allocation rules also mean that uncapped Indian players could become highly valuable assets in the mid and late auction sets.
Marquee players & top-tier targets
The marquee set forms the headline act of the WPL 2026 auction, featuring elite players with a base price of ₹50 lakh. Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma, released by UP Warriorz, is expected to trigger the most intense bidding battle among franchises due to her all-format consistency and exceptional skill set.
Australian icons Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning headline the overseas group, both bringing leadership, experience, and elite performance history. England’s top-ranked T20I spinner Sophie Ecclestone is another major attraction, with teams valuing her wicket-taking ability and match-winning temperament.
New Zealand sensations Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine provide high versatility, contributing significantly to both batting and bowling departments. South African captain Laura Wolvaardt, coming off a strong World Cup campaign, is also expected to command a premium.
Indian pacer Renuka Singh Thakur offers rare top-quality seam bowling, making her one of the most sought-after names in the domestic group. Rising stars like Phoebe Litchfield could also attract big bids due to recent international performances. The marquee category is expected to set the tone for the entire auction, with early spending trends dictating team behaviour in later phases.
RTM cards & WPL 2026 auction strategy overhaul
The introduction of the Right to Match (RTM) card marks the most significant structural change in WPL auction history. This rule allows teams to buy back a released player by matching the final bid made by another franchise.
UP Warriorz, having retained just one player, receive the maximum four RTM cards, giving them immense strategic leverage throughout the auction. Gujarat Giants follow with three RTM cards, enabling them to safeguard their key performers at market-driven prices.
RCB have only one RTM card, reserved almost certainly for Indian pacer Renuka Singh. Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, having used all five retention slots, receive zero RTM cards, meaning they cannot reclaim any released player once sold, regardless of bid value. This disparity forces MI and DC into a more aggressive opening phase, as they must secure priority players before rival teams intervene.
RTM also encourages teams like UPW and GG to allow high-valued players into the auction pool, testing market prices before reclaiming them. This mechanism adds uncertainty, strategic bluffing, and real-time tactical shifts to the event.
