The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally opened the tender process for the Official Partner Rights for the Women’s Premier League (WPL), setting the stage for new commercial associations ahead of the 2026 season.
This move signals BCCI’s continued push to expand the WPL’s commercial footprint, just as the league prepares for a marquee player auction next month and the introduction of new retention rules.
BCCI issues RFQ with strict timelines and eligibility rules
In a release issued earlier this week, the BCCI invited “quotations from reputed entities” for the Official Partner Rights via a Request for Quotation (RFQ) process. The RFQ outlines all terms and conditions governing the bidding process, including eligibility, submission timelines, and payment procedures.
“The RFQ will be made available on receipt of a non-refundable fee of Rs 1,00,000 plus any applicable Goods and Services Tax,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated in a release.
Prospective bidders must purchase the RFQ by November 12, with the window to submit clarifications closing on November 14. Final proposal documents must be submitted by November 21.
Purchasers must email proof of payment to [email protected], with specific procedures detailed in the RFQ document itself.
However, the BCCI emphasized that the act of purchasing the RFQ does not automatically guarantee the right to submit a quotation. Only bids related to ‘Product Categories’ that are not listed as Blocked or Prohibited in Annexure B of the RFQ will be deemed valid. Submissions involving any blocked or prohibited categories will be treated as non-compliant and therefore ineligible.
“Any quotation for a Blocked Product Category or Prohibited Product Category is ineligible, and will be treated as non-compliant. It is clarified that merely purchasing the RFQ does not entitle any person to submit a quotation,” it added.
Domestic and international payment options provided
The BCCI has provided detailed banking information to facilitate payments from both Indian and international bidders.
Indian entities are required to pay INR 1,18,000 (including GST) to the BCCI’s account at the Bank of Maharashtra, Fort Branch, Mumbai.
Foreign entities must pay USD 1,140 to either the Bank of Maharashtra or the Bank of New York, with corresponding SWIFT and routing details provided in the RFQ documentation.
1. Name of the bank: Bank of Maharashtra
Branch: Fort Branch, Mumbai
Account Name: The Board of Control for Cricket in India
Swift Code: MAHBINBBOVM
Account No.: 60081674478
2. Name of the bank: Bank of New York
Routing No.: 021 000 018
Swift Code: IRVTUS3N
Account No.: 803-3165-537
This bifurcation ensures accessibility to both domestic and global brands as the BCCI looks to scale the WPL’s sponsorship ecosystem.
WPL 2026 auction set for November 26-27 in New Delhi
While the RFQ process for commercial rights is underway, the WPL player auction for the 2026 season is reportedly (according to Cricbuzz) scheduled for November 26 and 27 in New Delhi, with franchises already being informally notified of the venue.
Despite being marketed as a high-profile event, the auction is expected to be completed in a single day. With just five teams in the league and each squad capped at 18 players, the process will remain tight, even if up to 90 players are placed under the hammer.
New ‘Right to Match’ rule adds strategic twist
For the first time in the WPL, the Right to Match (RTM) rule will be in effect. Franchises can now reclaim a released player by matching the highest bid during the auction—adding a fresh layer of strategy to squad-building.
However, teams that retain the maximum of five players ahead of the auction will face a deduction of INR 9.25 crore from their auction purse and will not be eligible to use the RTM option.
Spotlight on performance: MI, DC, and RCB
Defending champions Mumbai Indians will look to extend their dominance, having beaten Delhi Capitals in both the 2023 and a prior final. Despite clinching the title in a past season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru failed to qualify for the Eliminator in both 2023 and 2025—underscoring the volatility of form in the growing women’s league.
Commercial momentum continues for WPL
With the WPL continuing to gain traction among fans and sponsors alike, the BCCI’s decision to open up Official Partner Rights through a transparent bidding process marks another step in the league’s evolution. The tender comes at a pivotal moment, combining both commercial and cricketing developments that are likely to shape the next chapter of women’s cricket in India.
