The fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) kicked off with a star-studded opening ceremony at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium. The event featured Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Honey Singh, who added plenty of glitz to the pre-match entertainment.
A Glorious Start
Harnaaz, the Miss Universe 2021 winner and actor, opened the evening with a monologue celebrating women’s achievements across India, declaring, “We are ready,” setting an inspiring tone for her performance. Jacqueline continued the energy with a dynamic performance of her popular film songs, captivating a massive crowd with her stage presence and dance moves.
Honey Singh Shines
Rapper-singer Honey Singh electrified the venue with a mix of his latest hits and classics. He kicked off his set between the MI and RCB captains, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, who appeared to be caught off-guard by the surprise. Singh had the crowd grooving to his songs like “Millionaire,” “Lungi Dance,” and “Blue Eyes.” The trio later came together on stage to conclude the opening ceremony, receiving cheers from fans.
Tournament Details
The first leg of WPL 2026 will be held at the DY Patil Stadium before moving to Kotmabi Stadium in Vadodara, which will also host the knockout rounds. The Mumbai Inddigihunt, under Harmanpreet, are the most successful team with two titles and are the reigning champions, while Mandhana’s RCB claimed the title in the 2024 edition. The Delhi Capitals, runners-up in all three previous seasons, will be aiming to break their title drought this year.
Opening Match Timing
The opening clash between MI and RCB commenced at 7:40 pm local time, following the entertainment that marked the start of the 2026 season. This is the first time the WPL is being held in the January-February window.