WPL 2026 Mega Auction: Teams Allowed 5 Player Retentions, INR 15 Crore Purse

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is gearing up for a blockbuster 2026 season with the announcement of a mega auction set to take place between November 25 and 29. In a major update, franchises have been allowed to retain a maximum of five players before the auction, as confirmed by ESPNcricinfo.

Key Highlights of WPL 2026 Retention Rules

The WPL Governing Council has issued new guidelines to franchises outlining the retention and auction framework. Teams will have to finalize their retention list by November 5. Here are the main highlights:

• Maximum of five player retentions allowed per team.
• Teams can retain a maximum of three capped Indian players.
• Only two overseas players can be retained.
• Each team must include at least one uncapped Indian player if retaining five players.
• The Right-to-Match (RTM) card will be available for the first time in WPL history.

WPL 2026 Auction Purse and Retention Deductions

The WPL has fixed the auction purse at INR 15 crore for each franchise. However, deductions will apply based on the number of retained players. The league has also introduced retention slabs with corresponding salary limits.

Retention Slabs and Guideline Prices

• Player 1 – INR 3.5 crore
• Player 2 – INR 2.5 crore
• Player 3 – INR 1.75 crore
• Player 4 – INR 1 crore
• Player 5 – INR 50 lakh

Deduction from INR 15 Crore Purse

• 5 Retentions – INR 9.25 crore deduction
• 4 Retentions – INR 8.75 crore deduction
• 3 Retentions – INR 7.75 crore deduction
• 2 Retentions – INR 6 crore deduction
• 1 Retention – INR 3.5 crore deduction

The WPL has clarified that teams and players can negotiate their own amounts. However, if a player’s final salary exceeds the guideline price, that amount will be deducted from the team’s total purse.

Right-to-Match (RTM) Option Introduced

For the first time, WPL franchises can use the Right-to-Match (RTM) option to buy back a player who was part of their 2025 squad. Each team can use a maximum of five RTM cards, depending on how many players they retain beforehand.

RTM Card Availability Based on Retentions

• 5 Retentions – 0 RTMs
• 4 Retentions – 1 RTM
• 3 Retentions – 2 RTMs
• 2 Retentions – 3 RTMs
• 1 Retention – 4 RTMs

WPL 2026 Auction Timeline

The Women’s Premier League has announced a detailed roadmap leading up to the auction, ensuring that franchises, players, and fans can track every key date.

• November 5: Deadline for submission of retention list.
• November 7: Franchises to submit the list of players for the auction.
• November 18: Last date for player registration.
• November 20: BCCI to release the final list of players for the mega auction.
• November 25–29: Official WPL 2026 Mega Auction window.

What This Means for Franchises

The new rules give teams a balance between retaining their core stars and reshaping their squads through strategic bidding. With the RTM option now available, franchises can safeguard key players while also targeting fresh talent from across the globe.

Additionally, the introduction of flexible salary negotiations and fixed slabs ensures parity and strategic decision-making — an exciting twist that promises intense competition in the auction room.

Impact on the WPL 2026 Season

The upcoming auction is expected to redefine team compositions and competitiveness in the Women’s Premier League. With several top international players likely to be released into the pool, fans can expect major bidding wars and dynamic squad reshuffles before the 2026 season begins.

WPL Auction Retention Rules and Guidelines for 2026

Retention Option	Max Players Retained	RTM Available	Purse Deducted (in INR crore)	Purse Remaining (in INR crore)
1	5	0	9.25	5.75
2	4	1	8.75	6.25
3	3	2	7.75	7.25
4	2	3	6.00	9.00
5	1	4	3.50	11.50
6	0	5	0	15.00

References

1. ESPNcricinfo – WPL 2026 Auction Retention Details (October 2025)
2. BCCI Communication to WPL Franchises – Official Guidelines
3. Women’s Premier League Official Portal – Auction Timeline and Rules

Also Read: Women World Cup 2025 Points Table: India Tops the Standings After Dominant

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