The Women’s Premier League will mark a historic step in the sport, with five franchises confirmed for the inaugural edition of the tournament that will follow the template of the immensely popular IPL. On January 25, the five highest bidders were unveiled following a tender process.

The predecessor of the WPL was the Women’s T20 Challenge that was played between 2018 and 2022. The “IPL Supernovas” team won the title thrice – including the 2022 edition – after which the BCCI announced an annual competition for women’s teams. The tournament will be played after the end of the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, which itself follows the inaugural edition of the Women’s U19 World Cup, won by India.

WPL 2023: Who are the bidders?

The five successful bidders are as follows:

1. Adani Sportsline Pvt. Ltd – Ahmedabad: INR 1289 crores

2. Indiawin Sports Pvt. Ltd – Mumbai: INR 912.99 crores

3. Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd – Bengaluru: INR 901 crores

4. JSW GMR Cricket Pvt. Ltd – Delhi: INR 810 crores

5. Capri Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd – Lucknow: INR 757 crores

WPL 2023: When is the auction?

While BCCI are yet to confirm a date, News18 Cricketnext reports that the auction could be held in the February 11 to 13 window.

WPL 2023: Where is the auction?

The official confirmation is yet to come, but the venue is reportedly going to be the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

WPL 2023: Where to watch the auction?

Viacom18 Media Private Limited acquired the media rights for the WPL for five seasons (2023 to 2027), sealing the deal for a cumulative sum of INR 951 crores (INR 7.09 crores per match).

The auction is likely to be telecast on Viacom18’s sports and entertainment channel – Jio Cinema.