No Fans for MI, RCB? WPL 2026 Matches Face Election-Day Restrictions

Amit Patel (icccricketschedule.com)

Published: January 12, 2026 at 6:25 PM IST • Updated: February 5, 2026 at 12:19 PM IST

• 3 Min Read

No Fans for MI, RCB in WPL 2026?

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season is likely to be impacted, as a few matches in Navi Mumbai are likely to be played behind closed doors due to the upcoming municipal corporation elections. According to reports, the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) women’s teams may have to play key matches without spectators at DY Patil Stadium.

The decision came after Navi Mumbai police reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that they may not be able to provide complete security during the election period. Therefore, matches scheduled around the election date could be played without fans.

Why are WPL 2026 Matches played Without Spectators?

As per the reports from ESPNcricinfo, municipal elections in Navi Mumbai are scheduled for January 15, 2026. On the same day, the Mumbai Indians (MI) Women will be playing the match no. 8 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 against the UP Warriorz at DY Patil Stadium.

Therefore, due to heavy deployment of police personnel for election duties, security arrangements for the WPL 2026 matches could be affected and likely not to be properly fulfilled. Apart from January 15, WPL 2026 matches scheduled on January 14 and January 16 are likely to be impacted.

Which WPL 2026 Matches are Likely to be Affected?

The final decision is yet to be officially announced by the BCCI, and if they enforce the no spectators rule during the election period, then the matches listed below are likely to be played behind closed doors.

January 14, 2026: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz

January 15, 2026: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz

January 16, 2026: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Giants

Interestingly, the ticketing platforms for the WPL 2026 matches have not listed the tickets for sale for matches on January 14, 15, and 16, respectively. This also confirms that the chances are quite high that fans might miss the WPL 2026 matches on the ground, and they have to watch them digitally.

However, the tickets for the January 17 double-header at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai are available, and they are selling well. Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the matches to be played on January 17 in Navi Mumbai.

WPL 2026 Points Table so far

Pos	Team	Matches	Won	Lost	NR	Points	NRR
1	Gujarat Giants (GG)	2	2	0	0	4	+0.350
2	Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W)	2	1	1	0	2	+1.175
3	Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W)	1	1	0	0	2	+0.150
4	UP Warriorz (UP)	1	0	1	0	0	-0.500
5	Delhi Capitals Women (DC-W)	2	0	2	0	0	-1.350