IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal confirmed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has no immediate plans to expand the Women’s Premier League (WPL) beyond its current five teams.
This statement comes on the heels of the conclusion of the WPL 2025 season, which saw the Mumbai Indians clinch their second title, further solidifying the tournament’s growing popularity.
Current State of WPL
The WPL has made significant strides since its inception, with Dhumal noting that the tournament has experienced “phenomenal” growth over the past three years.
He highlighted that the league has garnered impressive traction in terms of in-stadium attendance and broadcast numbers, which have been encouraging for women’s cricket globally.
Dhumal stated, “To further strengthen this tournament for the time being, we want to consolidate before we take a call on further addition of any team. There are no immediate plans (to add teams).”
The league has not yet adopted a home-and-away format like its men’s counterpart, the Indian Premier League.
Instead, it has utilized a caravan model, hosting matches in smaller centers such as Baroda and Lucknow alongside major cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.
This approach aims to enhance visibility and engagement with fans across different regions.
Financial Success and Fan Engagement
The financial success of the WPL is evident from the substantial revenue generated from team sales and media rights.
The BCCI reported earnings of ₹4,670 crore from the sale of five franchises representing Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Additionally, media rights were sold for ₹951 crore, making it one of the largest women’s leagues globally.
The tournament’s ability to draw crowds has been noteworthy, with decent turnout figures for most matches this season.
While the primary objective remains to promote women’s cricket and uncover new talent, there is still considerable room for improvement in fan engagement and overall market penetration.
