Women's Premier League 2024 to take place in February, BCCI to finalise venues: Report

The Women’s Premier League’s (WPL) second season will be held in February next year but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are yet to decide if the tournament will take place in a single city or multiple cities.

The inaugural edition of the WPL was held between 4 March and 26 March this year, with all matches taking place in Mumbai. The Brabourne Stadium and DY Patil Stadium hosted the matches.

Arun Dhumal, IPL Governing Council chairman, said that discussions regarding the venue with the office-bearers would be held on the sidelines of the WPL 2024 auction, slated for 9 December in Mumbai.

“The WPL will be in February, so we will be checking on the venues. Once we meet, most probably during the WPL auctions, we will figure out where it makes more sense to host the tournament, given the logistical challenges and the time available. We will take a call on that,” Dhumal was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

Matches could be played in Mumbai and Bengaluru next season, with both cities enjoying a strong fan base for women’s cricket. In WPL 2023, matches that featured Mumbai Indians (MI) or Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) produced huge crowds at the stadium.

Dhumal said that the prospects of hosting games in multiple cities depends on the logistical challenges. “If it is possible to host it in a multi-city format, that would be better for the fans and the franchises, since there is a fan base. But it all depends on how much time is available and the logistical challenges,” he said.

Dhumal added that the BCCI were looking to organise matches in multiple venues in the near future.

“Definitely, we would want the tournament to go through the geography of the entire country, given the diversity of our country. It’s a great opportunity for all the franchise to engage with the fans through the length and breadth of this country.

“There are many stadiums and would be phenomenal for fans to engage with women cricketers. Now that the franchises are clear, even they would be keen on having their games in their local centres.

“We will work with the franchises and see to what extent it is possible to organise matches there,” said Dhumal.

Mumbai Indians are the defending champions of the WPL, having beaten Delhi Capitals (DC) by seven wickets in this year’s final.