Two matches of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 scheduled in Navi Mumbai will be played behind closed doors, with no spectators allowed, due to municipal corporation elections in the city.
According to information obtained by ESPNcricinfo, local police authorities have informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that they will be unable to provide adequate security for large sporting events during the election period. As a result, the matches at the DY Patil Stadium on January 14 and January 15 will proceed without fans in attendance.
The affected fixtures are:
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January 14: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz
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January 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz
The Navi Mumbai municipal elections are scheduled for January 15, prompting heightened security deployment across the city.
Currently, the official WPL ticketing platform has not listed tickets for matches on January 14, 15, and 16. The January 16 fixture features Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, also at the DY Patil Stadium, though clarity on spectator access for that match is still awaited.
The WPL 2026 schedule was announced on November 29, while the election date was confirmed later on December 15. Sources indicate that the WPL governing committee was informed soon after the election timeline was finalized.
The season opener and the weekend double-headers witnessed strong fan turnout, highlighting the league’s growing popularity. Tickets remain available for the January 17 double-header at DY Patil Stadium — featuring Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — after which the tournament will shift to Vadodara for the remainder of the season.
