WPL 2025: All you need to know about the tournament
What's the story
The much-awaited third season of the Women's Premier League (WPL) will start on February 14, 2025. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Gujarat Giants in the first match. This year's edition will be played across four venues, a first in WPL history. The tournament will feature 20 group-stage matches, two knockout games, and end with the final on March 15. Here is all you need to know about the tournament.
Participants
Teams and venues of WPL 2025
The WPL 2025 will have five teams: Gujarat Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and UP Warriorz. The matches will be played across four Indian cities - Vadodara (Kotambi Stadium), Bengaluru (M.Chinnaswamy Stadium), Lucknow (Ekana Cricket Stadium), and Mumbai (Brabourne Stadium). This will be the first time the tournament will expand to multiple venues in its history. Meanwhile, Mumbai will host the final on March 15.
Structure
WPL 2025: A look at the tournament format
The WPL 2025 will have a traditional round-robin format, with each of the five teams facing every other team twice in this stage. A win will fetch two points while an abandoned match will give one point to both teams. After the round-robin stage, the top-ranked team on points table gets a direct spot in final. The second and third-placed teams will face each other in the Eliminator to become second finalist.
Squad strength
Six overseas players allowed in each squad
Each squad has 15 to 18 members, with six overseas players each. As per the rules, a maximum of four overseas players are allowed in an XI. However, if a team has an associate cricketer, she can be the fifth overseas player. As many as 15 associate players were bought in the auction across the five franchises.
Broadcasting
How to watch WPL 2025 matches in India?
For fans excited to catch the live action of WPL 2025 matches in India, they can tune into Sports18 network. Meanwhile, live streaming of the matches will also be available on JioCinema app and website. This way, fans won't miss out on any moment from this exciting women's cricket tournament. All the games will be played in evening as no double-headers are in place. The matches are scheduled to get underway at 7:30pm IST.