NEW DELHI: The second edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is poised to embrace a multi-city format, echoing the successful model of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
While the final decision on venues is expected on December 9, there are strong indications that matches will be spread across Mumbai and Bengaluru, diverging from the single-city approach in the inaugural WPL held earlier this year.

A BCCI official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to PTI, revealed, “The final decision (about venues) might come on December 9 (the day of the WPL auction) but it is highly likely that this year it (WPL) will follow the multi-city format with Mumbai and Bengaluru being the front-runners at this moment.”

The inaugural WPL, held between March 4 and 26, took place exclusively at the DY Patil Stadium and the Brabourne Stadium. The move towards a multi-city format aims to broaden the reach of women’s cricket and capitalise on the growing interest in the sport.
Bengaluru, with its enthusiastic audience for women’s cricket, particularly boosted by the success of the RCB women’s team, stands out as a strong contender for hosting WPL matches. Officials from Mumbai and Karnataka cricket associations have also expressed their readiness to host the games.

RCB women’s team captain Smriti Mandhana, a vocal supporter of the multi-city format, emphasised its potential to reach new audiences.
“It would be great to have WPL in a multi-city format. That might be the next step, and I am sure people right here would look into it and make it happen,” Mandhana stated during a recent RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India.
The move towards a multi-city format is seen as a strategic step to expand the footprint of women’s cricket and create a more dynamic and engaging environment for players and fans alike.
The WPL auction on December 9 is expected to unveil further details about this exciting development.
(With inputs from PTI)