The Women`s Premier League (WPL) has unveiled new regulations concerning player retentions and the eagerly anticipated mega auction for the 2026 season. Key announcements include an auction purse of INR 15 crore for each franchise and the introduction of a Right-To-Match (RTM) option.
New Player Retention Guidelines
Franchises participating in the Women`s Premier League are now permitted to retain a maximum of five players in preparation for the 2026 season`s mega auction. Teams must submit their finalized retention lists by November 5, with the auction window set to occur between November 25 and 29.
Specific criteria for player retentions include:
- A maximum of three capped Indian players.
- A maximum of two overseas players.
- A maximum of two uncapped Indian players.
- Should a franchise choose to retain five players, at least one of these players must be an uncapped Indian.
Auction Purse and Associated Deductions
Each franchise will be allocated an auction purse of INR 15 crore. This amount will be subject to deductions based on the number of players retained. The guideline prices for retained players are structured as follows:
- For the first retained player: INR 3.5 crore
- For the second retained player: INR 2.5 crore
- For the third retained player: INR 1.75 crore
- For the fourth retained player: INR 1 crore
- For the fifth retained player: INR 50 lakh
The total deductions from the auction purse, depending on the number of players retained, are:
- Five players retained: INR 9.25 crore
- Four players retained: INR 8.75 crore
- Three players retained: INR 7.75 crore
- Two players retained: INR 6 crore
- One player retained: INR 3.5 crore
Franchises retain the right to negotiate salaries higher than the stipulated guideline prices for their retained players. In such cases, the actual agreed-upon salary will be deducted from the auction purse. A minimum salary of INR 50 lakh has been established for uncapped Indian players, though this figure can also be increased through mutual negotiation.
Introduction of the Right-To-Match (RTM) Option
A significant new feature for the upcoming auction is the introduction of the Right-To-Match (RTM) option. This mechanism allows franchises to re-acquire a player who was part of their 2025 squad by matching the highest bid placed for that player during the auction.
While a franchise can utilize a maximum of five RTMs, the number available is inversely proportional to the number of players retained:
- If five players are retained, no RTMs are available.
- If four players are retained, one RTM is available.
- If three players are retained, two RTMs are available.
- If two players are retained, three RTMs are available.
- If one player is retained, four RTMs are available.
Important Dates Leading Up to the Mega Auction
The WPL has provided a comprehensive timeline for the processes culminating in the mega auction:
- November 5: Deadline for all franchises to submit their player retention lists.
- November 7: Franchises are required to share their preferred player lists for the auction.
- November 18: The final date for players to register for the mega auction.
- November 20: The BCCI will release the complete list of registered players eligible for the mega auction.
