WPL 2027: Wankhede Stadium replaces Brabourne for Mumbai leg, all 11 matches shifted
Synopsis
Wankhede Stadium steps into the spotlight as the BCCI shifts all 11 WPL 2027 Mumbai-leg matches away from Brabourne — a forced but significant move driven by the ICC's exclusive-use rules ahead of the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy. For the first time, Wankhede will host a WPL final, adding a new chapter to its storied cricket legacy.
Key Takeaways
BCCI confirmed on 15 November that Wankhede Stadium replaces Brabourne Stadium (CCI) for the WPL 2027 Mumbai leg.
All 11 Mumbai-leg matches — league games 12–20, the eliminator, and the final — will now be held at Wankhede from 26 January to 7 February 2027 .
The switch was driven by an ICC request , which requires exclusive venue control for 15 days before the Women's Champions Trophy 2027 (14–28 February) at Brabourne.
Vadodara hosts the first 11 matches from 14 to 24 January , with Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians as the opening fixture.
This will be the first time Wankhede Stadium hosts WPL matches , including the final on 7 February 2027 .
All fixtures and dates remain unchanged ; all matches start at 7:30 pm IST .
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Sunday, 15 November that the Mumbai leg of the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) will now be held at Wankhede Stadium instead of Brabourne Stadium (CCI), with all fixtures and dates remaining unchanged. The switch affects all 11 matches of the Mumbai leg, spanning from 26 January to 7 February 2027.
Why the Venue Was Changed
The change was driven by a formal request from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which requires exclusive control of host venues for 15 days before a tournament begins. Brabourne Stadium, along with Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, is set to host the six-team inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027, scheduled from 14 February to 28 February.
As the BCCI explained, the gap between the conclusion of the TATA WPL and the start of the Women's Champions Trophy would not provide sufficient time for the pitches at CCI to recover. The WPL Committee approved the relocation, clearing the way for Wankhede to absorb the entire Mumbai schedule.
What Wankhede Will Host
Wankhede Stadium will now stage league-stage matches 12 to 20, the eliminator (scheduled for 5 February), and the final on 7 February 2027. Notably, this will mark the first time that Wankhede — the home ground of Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) — hosts WPL matches.
The WPL Governing Council had originally cleared the venues and dates on 15 September. All matches across both venues continue to start at 7:30 pm IST.
Full Tournament Schedule at a Glance
The 2027 WPL season opens on 14 January in Vadodara, where defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru face two-time winners Mumbai Indians. Vadodara hosts the first 11 matches through 24 January, after which the tournament moves entirely to Wankhede.
The league phase concludes on 3 February, followed by the eliminator on 5 February, and the top-placed side heads directly to the final on 7 February 2027.
Significance of the Move
The venue switch underscores the growing calendar congestion in women's cricket, with the WPL and ICC events now running in close proximity. The ICC's strict exclusive-use window, standard practice ahead of major multi-nation tournaments, left the BCCI with little room to retain Brabourne. This is also a signal of Wankhede's rising prominence in India's women's cricket infrastructure, as the stadium steps up to host a marquee WPL finale for the first time.
Point of View
But the deeper question is whether India's cricket infrastructure is scaling fast enough to hold two premium women's tournaments in the same city within weeks of each other without compromising pitch quality or fan experience.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has WPL 2027's Mumbai venue been changed from Brabourne to Wankhede?
The ICC requested the shift because it requires exclusive control of host venues for 15 days before the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy 2027, which begins at Brabourne on 14 February. The gap between the WPL's Mumbai leg and the Women's Champions Trophy was insufficient for pitch recovery, prompting the BCCI's WPL Committee to approve the move to Wankhede Stadium.
Which matches will Wankhede Stadium host in WPL 2027?
Wankhede will host all 11 matches of the Mumbai leg — league-stage matches 12 to 20, the eliminator on 5 February, and the final on 7 February 2027. This will be the first time the stadium hosts any WPL match.
Are the WPL 2027 dates and fixtures affected by the venue change?
No. The BCCI confirmed that all fixtures and dates remain unchanged. The Mumbai leg runs from 26 January to 7 February 2027, and all matches continue to start at 7:30 pm IST.
When and where does WPL 2027 begin?
The 2027 WPL season opens on 14 January in Vadodara, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing two-time winners Mumbai Indians. Vadodara hosts the first 11 matches through 24 January before the tournament moves to Wankhede.
What is the ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027 and how does it relate to the venue change?
The Women's Champions Trophy 2027 is a six-team inaugural ICC tournament scheduled from 14 to 28 February at Brabourne Stadium and Vadodara International Cricket Stadium. The ICC's exclusive-use window for Brabourne directly triggered the BCCI's decision to shift the WPL Mumbai leg to Wankhede.
